Wind turbine efficiency - how to choose a wind turbine?
When you choose a wind turbine, there are many factors to be considered: wind speed, height, rotor diameter and other factors. In this article, we will tell you how to calculate the wind turbine efficiency, if you have decide a rated power wind turbine. For example, if you decide to buy a 10kw wind turbine, how to compare the wind turbine efficiency between different wind turbines?
There are only two factors: wind utilize ratio and generator efficiency
Wind utilize ratio:
This ratio is usually from 0.40 to 0.45. This means that how much percent wind power could be captured by the wind blades. The maximum ratio is 0.59 in theory; however 0.45 is very good in reality wind turbine industry. So when you choose a wind turbine, you should compare the wind utilize ratio.
Generator efficiency:
As we know, generator will lose some power in the process that converts the wind power to electricity. This loss can not be avoided but a good generator could reduce the loss and increase the efficiency. Generator efficiency is usually from 75% to 85% now. This efficiency factor will decide different output power from a same rated wind turbine.
When you choose a wind turbine, these two factors will help you find a more efficient wind turbine. Of course, price of a wind turbine is another important factor.