How to Calculate Wind Turbine Output
What is Wind Turbine Output?
Wind turbine power output depends on wind speed, blade area, and efficiency. Power increases with the cube of wind speed.
Formula
Calculate: P = 0.5 × ρ × A × v³ × C_p
- P
- 0 — 0
- A
- swept area — swept area
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Calculate: P = 0.5 × ρ × A × v³ × C_p
- 2ρ = air density (≈1.225 kg/m³), A = swept area, v = wind speed, C_p = efficiency (~0.35-0.45)
- 3Typical 2-5 MW turbine: 5-15 GWh/year depending on wind resource
Worked Examples
Input
100 m rotor (7850 m² area), average wind 10 m/s, C_p=0.4
Result
Average power ≈ 1.9 MW
Typical utility turbine
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Using peak power output instead of average capacity factor
- ✕Neglecting wake effects between turbines
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is wind speed raised to the third power?
Power proportional to kinetic energy (½mv²) and flow rate; combined gives v³ dependence.
How much area does a wind turbine need?
Large utility turbines need 2-5 acres minimum spacing; smaller residential turbines 0.5 acres.
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