horizontal or vertical axis wind turbine for your location?

HORIZONTAL or rather VERTICAL axis of rotation, what is the difference?

Horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) : cost-effective, with higher efficiency

• Wind turbines with a horizontal axis of rotation correspond to the classic design.
• Usually with blades rotating in the vertical plane, these are inexpensive and effective.
• However, the noise level of +/- 60dbA is at the level of a typical vehicle and can become a disturbing factor in a storm.
• As oscillations and vibrations can also occur at high speeds, HAWTs should be installed and operated independently of a building.

Vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) : low-noise, self-braking and not a death trap for birds**

• Vertical wind turbines are less well known, but due to their design they are the ideal 24/7* energy generation systems for the general household or homeowner.
• These are virtually silent with a noise level of <= 40dbA.
• Vertical axis wind turbines are clearly visible to birds and are therefore not a death trap**.
• Another advantage of the vertical design: Theseare “always in the wind“, are therefore less sensitive to turbulence and produce regardless of wind direction*.
• Maintenance of vertical axis wind turbines is often easier as they have fewer moving parts and are more accessible.
• Vertical wind turbines have lower wind speed requirements: they can already operate efficiently at lower wind speeds.
• Vertical wind turbines require less space than horizontal turbines. This makes them ideal for urban areas or places with limited space.
• Unfortunately, the efficiency of such VAWTs is lower than that of conventional wind turbines, but this can be compensated for by an appropriate size.
• Vertical-axis wind turbines are therefore around twice as expensive as horizontal devices with the same output.
• We also recommend these modern wind turbines for installation on the roof of a house, but only up to a maximum output of 2kW, as otherwise the forces on the stud frame can be too great for a classic wooden roof construction. On flat roofs with a concrete ceiling, up to 3kW is also possible.

We offer both designs: horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines (HAWT and VAWT)

• Investment costs for wind turbines are lower than for a photovoltaic system with comparable output
• Thanks to 24/7* energy generation operation, a significantly shorter amortization period is achieved
• Wind turbines are suitable for connection to your 230V or 400V domestic grid² or for operation independent of the grid (e.g. garden shed)
• Can be approved by German network operators (corresponding documentation and registration forms are included in the scope of delivery)
• We supply micro wind turbines 0.6 kW -5kW and small wind turbines with an output of 10-100 kW
• Expansion of wind turbines to all-weather hybrid version possible with additional solar modules
• VAWT + HAWT with or without battery storage (battery system recommended for stabilizing current and voltage and for storage)
• VAWT + HAWT as a kit for self-assembly or pre-assembled (pre-assembled only for collectors or delivery by us or our partner companies)
• Wind turbines optionally with simple attachment using a special combination turbine and solar module holder for chimneys, house walls, barns, etc.
• Adjustment of the height of the wind turbine (e.g. above the house ridge) by means of a standpipe extension (e.g. permitted in Lower Saxony up to 2 m above the ridge)
• Mast for procedure-free³ separate installation of VAWT or HAWT up to 15 m high (applies e.g. for Lower Saxony in mixed-use areas or outdoor areas)
• All complete wind turbine systems optionally including increased corrosion protection, also sea wind resistant against the salty marine climate

* as far as the wind and current conditions at the installation site allow!
** therefore also suitable for operation in bird sanctuaries
1 provided that the loads are connected to the same phase as the feed-in (the inverter) -> for devices with 3-phase (power current) always!
² you feed the surplus electricity into the grid, the grid operator pays you 8.2ct/kWh up to 10kWp and 7.1ct/kWh pro rata from 10kWp
³ procedure-free = no approval from and no notification to the building authority required