Two sources of renewable energy — solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and wind power — are heading in opposite directions in San Francisco where, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, solar home power installations have doubled over the last two-and-a-half years while the tally for residential wind projects is stuck in the single digits (nine, to be exact).

The lop-sided figures overwhelmingly in favor of solar installations may at first glance be surprising, given that San Francisco has long been known for its strong winds. It’s not exactly the Windy City, but ask anyone who used to brave the strong gusts at Candlestick Park during Giants games, or has gone for an evening stroll at the foot of Crissy Fields near the Golden Gate Bridge, and they’ll tell you that San Francisco is plenty gusty.

So why the lack of residential wind power systems in a city that has the elements — and certainly the politics — to make it happen?

One likely reason is that just over two years ago San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law that, at the time, was the largest municipal solar-incentive program in the United States. During the first three months of the program, residential applications for solar installations increased to an average of 60 per month. That, according to Greentech Media, was a 260 percent jump from the number of received applications per month prior to the incentive program.

The second main reasons is that, compared to sunlight, wind can be much more variable on an annual basis. The wind at a given locale can vary as much as 20 percent, year over year. Compare that to the five to seven percent variation in annual sunlight — or insolation — and you can see why the siting and installation of solar energy systems is a bit more straightforward.

San Francisco resident Nathan Miller’s case epitomizes the third most likely reason why so many San Franciscans choose solar over wind generation: they don’t want tick off their neighbors with an ugly, noisy wind turbine.

While home solar energy systems are almost always installed atop houses, flush with the roof, wind turbines are erected on lawns, in clear view. Wind turbines also make noise, while solar panels are virtually silent. Miller wanted to install a wind turbine on his lawn because, all else equal, it’s a cheaper alternative to solar; even with the San Francisco solar incentive, a wind turbine is still roughly half the price of a solar energy system.

Miller had met design guidelines and was ready to generate his own wind power when neighbors stepped in and complained about the potential turbine being installed next door. The neighbors, concerned mainly about the turbine’s potential aesthetics impact on the area, were able to block the turbine’s approval. Now Miller has to earn approval from the San Francisco Planning Commission in order to follow through with his plan. But that’s unlikely, mainly because Miller probably won’t press forward — his intention was to save $35 a month on his energy bill, not create a community coalition against him.

There are other examples of wind projects facing backlash from the general public. In April of this year, a much larger project — the Cape Wind Project — was announced. Critics for years have cited the project as a potential eyesore. The Cape Cod Times called lawsuits to block construction “inevitable.”

Miller’s case remains an example how residential wind turbines aren’t as easy a sell as solar panels. The outcome of his dilemma may help determine the future of residential wind projects both in San Francisco and around the country.

So the moral of the story? Install solar energy or your neighbors will hate you. Well… not exactly… but it’s better to be on the safe side.