59.3 percent. This is the theoretical maximum efficiency at which a wind generator can operate, by slowing the wind down.  If the wind generator slows the wind down too much, air piles up in front of the blades and is not used for extracting energy.

The flat panels on a wind turbine that are connected to a center shaft that converts the push of the wind into a circular motion in a wind turbine.

A device to slow a wind turbine’s shaft speed down to safe levels (electrically or mechanically).

see average capacity.

A strong metal cable or wire that attaches some towers (typically those of small residential wind turbines) to the ground.

The combination of multiple energy-producing technologies such as photovoltaic solar electric systems combined with small wind turbine systems.

A device that converts direct current electricity to alternating current, either for stand-alone systems or to supply power to an electric utility system.

A graphic displaying the instantaneous power output of a specific turbine design at various wind speeds; used with wind resource data to determine the potential for electricity generation at a project site.

The wind speed at which a wind turbine reaches its nameplate-rated level of power production. For most small wind turbines, this is around 30 to 35 miles per hour.

The visible spinning parts of a wind turbine, including the turbine blades and the hub.