To a certain extent, wind energy can be thought of as a derivative of solar energy – winds are created as the sun heats the atmosphere unevenly, creating convection currents. The Earth’s rotation and irregularities in its surface also contribute to wind flow. Wind turbines capture the mechanical energy of wind and convert it into electrical energy. Turbines range in technical specifics and size. Individual homes can be powered by turbines in the 2-10kW range, whereas utility-scale wind farm projects often rely on turbines up to 1-2.5 MW in size. (The largest wind turbine in production can generate 7 MW!) Read more.
Metropolitan Area Planning Council