Find the right turbine for your energy needs.
Wind turbine sizing depends on your energy needs and local wind resource. Turbines are classified by capacity: micro (<1 kW, rotor 1-2m, for remote sensors), small (1-10 kW, rotor 2-7m, for homes), medium (10-100 kW, rotor 7-20m, for farms/businesses), and large (100 kW+, rotor 40-160m, for utilities). The key relationship is: required rotor area = power needed ÷ (0.5 × air density × wind speed³ × efficiency). Hub height matters because wind speed increases with altitude following the power law: v₂ = v₁ × (h₂/h₁)^α, where α ≈ 0.14 for open terrain. Raising a turbine from 10m to 30m typically increases energy capture by 30-40%. Small residential turbines (5-10 kW) cost $15,000-$50,000 installed and can offset 50-100% of household electricity in good wind sites (>5 m/s average). Permitting requirements vary: most jurisdictions allow towers under 30m with minimal review. Noise at property lines must typically stay below 40-45 dB.