Small Wind Turbines May Face Efficiency Issues

Small wind turbines may face efficiency issues. Every energy conversion has a floor, below which energy transfer becomes impossible. This is why power generation can so wildly fluctuate with wind power. Up to 80% of the output of a wind turbine occurs in the top 15% of its operating time. This is a huge efficiency break point. The smaller your wind turbine is, the more they have to work to convert the wind into electricity. So while a huge propeller turning slowly in the wind may seem lazy, it could actually be producing several hundred kilowatts of power due to its sheer size. However most people couldn't afford a wind turbine that size, even if they can, most cities won't let you place one within the city limits. A small wind turbine, on the other hand, makes your local politicians look green, which is a political asset in American today. The smaller units are also much more affordable than a large scale wind turbine would be, putting them within reach of more consumers. Source: hoosacwind.com