Wind Speed and Turbine Output

The output of a wind turbine depends on the model of the turbine and available wind speed. Each Hometown WindPower turbine has a capacity of 160 kilowatts.  The turbine’s power output can exceed 160 kilowatts for short periods of time. A wind turbine will generally produce more energy with higher wind speeds, if wind speeds are between the turbine’s cut-in and rated wind speeds.  The cut-in speed is the minimum wind speed at which the wind turbine will generate power. The cut-in speed for each Hometown WindPower turbine is 12 miles per hour or just over 5 meters per second. The turbine’s rated speed is the wind speed that results in the optimal power output for the turbine.  When the wind speed exceeds the turbine’s rated speed, the turbine’s power output stops increasing and actually begins to decrease with higher wind speeds.  Wind turbines automatically shut down in very windy conditions – typically greater than 50 mph - to prevent turbine damage.  The speed at which the turbine shuts down is called the cut-out speed.