The Wind Energy Challenge

How Small is "Small"

It’s ALL Relative – especially rotor diameter:

• 0.5m diameter (200W) – 50m diameter (600kW)
• According to wind energy industry expert Paul Gipe (Wind Power-Renewable Energy for Home, Farm, and Business; Chelsea Green Publishing Co., 2004), “small” wind size designations are:
  • Micro: 1.25m or less rotor diameter
  • Mini: less than 3m
  • Household: 4m – 10m
  • Medium: 10m – 50/60m
• TFC Energy LLC is currently working on developing commercial application turbine designs that would be 8-15m in diameter, with rated power capacities ranging from 10-50kW.

Relative Size of Small Wind Turbines

The graph below depicts the relative rotor size of small wind turbines and tower heights; please note that rotor size and tower height do not necessarily correspond as depicted. 

Theoretical Rated Power Output Based on Rotor Diameter

The graph to the left illustrates the theoretical rated power output based on rotor diameter; the larger half of this scale represents TFC Energy’s product design targets.