An instrument used to measure the velocity, or speed, of the wind.

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 unit or measure of electricity supply or consumption of 1,000 Watts for a period of 1 hour.

A tower with a group of instruments (including anemometers and wind vanes) attached that collectively measure various meteorological parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, and temperature at various heights above the ground. The term met