Wind Turbine Calculation

Rarely. Most residential buildings are too short (typically under 10m) and surrounded by too many obstructions (trees, other houses) to generate meaningful wind power. The turbulence created by the building itself and nearby structures drops the effective wind speed by 40-60%. For residential clients, we almost always recommend solar PV instead—it's more predictable, cheaper, and has a faster payback. We'll only recommend wind if your site has exceptional conditions (open terrain, building height over 15m, and average wind speeds above 5.5 m/s at hub height).

Three reasons: 1) Turbulence—buildings create chaotic wind flow that reduces turbine efficiency and causes mechanical stress. 2) Overestimated wind speeds—manufacturers quote "free stream" wind speeds, but rooftop conditions are typically 30-50% lower due to surface friction and obstructions. 3) Structural issues—vibration and dynamic loads weren't properly assessed, leading to noise complaints, roof damage, or premature equipment failure. Our CFD analysis and structural assessment address all three before you spend a single euro.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a computer simulation that models how wind flows over and around your specific building. It shows you exactly where the wind is fast, where it's slow, and where turbulence is highest. Without CFD, you're guessing. With it, you can place turbines in the optimal locations, avoid dead zones, and predict realistic energy yields. For commercial projects over 10kW, CFD is essential—it's the difference between a 25% capacity factor and a 9% capacity factor.

Modern small wind turbines are relatively quiet (40-50 dB at 10m), but rooftop installations can amplify noise through vibration transmission into the building structure. Our feasibility study includes a vibration analysis and acoustic assessment. If noise is a concern, we'll specify isolation mounts, recommend vertical-axis turbines (which are quieter), or advise against wind altogether. We'd rather tell you "no" now than deal with noise complaints later.

For 90% of urban and suburban sites, solar wins. Solar is cheaper (€1,000-1,500/kWp vs €3,000-5,000/kW for wind), more predictable, has no moving parts, and pays back in 4-7 years. Rooftop wind only makes sense when: you have exceptional wind resources (>6 m/s average), large unshaded roof area, high electricity consumption that solar can't cover alone, or you need 24/7 generation (wind blows at night, solar doesn't). We'll always compare both options and recommend the one with the best ROI for your specific site.

Then we've just saved you tens of thousands of euros. Our fee for a feasibility study is a fraction of what a failed turbine installation would cost. If wind isn't viable, we'll explain exactly why (insufficient wind speed, excessive turbulence, structural limits, etc.) and provide alternative recommendations—typically solar PV, battery storage, or energy efficiency upgrades. We're engineers, not salespeople. Our job is to protect your investment, even if that means telling you not to buy a turbine.