Wind Turbine Power Calculator

A wind turbine's power output depends on rotor size, wind speed, and design — the Wind Turbine Power Calculator combines all these variables to estimate how much electricity a turbine can generate. Select your turbine type (HAWT, Darrieus VAWT, or Savonius VAWT), then enter the rotor diameter, wind speed, air density, and turbine efficiency to get the actual power output in kW. Secondary outputs include theoretical maximum power, swept area, daily energy production, and annual energy production.

m
m
m/s
kg/m³

Standard air density at sea level is 1.225 kg/m³

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Typical efficiency ranges: HAWT 35-45%, Darrieus 25-40%, Savonius 15-25%

Results

Actual Power Output

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Theoretical Maximum Power

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Swept Area

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Daily Energy Production

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Annual Energy Production

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between HAWT and VAWT turbines?

Horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT) have blades that rotate around a horizontal axis and are the most common type used commercially. Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT) rotate around a vertical axis and include Darrieus and Savonius designs. HAWTs are generally more efficient but require wind direction tracking.

How do I calculate wind turbine power output?

Wind turbine power is calculated using the formula P = 0.5 × ρ × A × v³ × Cp, where ρ is air density, A is swept area, v is wind speed, and Cp is the power coefficient (efficiency). The theoretical maximum efficiency is limited by Betz's law to 59.3%.

What size wind turbine is needed to power a house?

A typical home uses 10,000-15,000 kWh annually. A 5-10 kW wind turbine in areas with average wind speeds of 6+ m/s can meet most household energy needs. However, actual power generation depends heavily on local wind conditions and turbine placement.

How much energy can a wind turbine produce per day?

Daily energy production varies greatly with wind speed and turbine size. A 50m diameter turbine at 35% efficiency in 12 m/s winds can produce approximately 6,500 kWh per day. Production drops significantly with lower wind speeds due to the cubic relationship between wind speed and power.

Why is wind speed so important for power generation?

Wind power is proportional to the cube of wind speed (v³). This means a 20% increase in wind speed results in a 73% increase in power output. This cubic relationship makes consistent, strong winds essential for viable wind energy projects.

What factors affect wind turbine efficiency?

Key factors include turbine design (HAWT vs VAWT), blade aerodynamics, generator efficiency, wind speed consistency, air density (affected by altitude and temperature), and maintenance condition. Modern HAWTs achieve 35-45% efficiency under optimal conditions.

How does air density affect wind turbine performance?

Higher air density increases power output proportionally. Air density decreases with higher altitude and temperature. At sea level (1.225 kg/m³), turbines produce maximum power, while at high altitudes or in hot climates, power output is reduced due to lower air density.