SITING THE WINDCHARGER
General Considerations
The location and height of the mounting pole or tower for your wind
turbine will be the major factor in the overall performance of your
system. The smooth flow of wind over land and water is often
interrupted by a multitude of obstructions causing wind sheer and
turbulence. Wind sheer describes the interference between the fast
moving upper air and the slow moving air close to the ground and
the resulting decrease in average wind speed as one gets closer to
the ground. Turbulence is caused by the wind passing over
obstructions such as moored boats, trees and buildings. Both wind
sheer and turbulence diminish with height and can be overcome
simply by putting the turbine sufficiently high above them. It is
therefore essential that the wind generator should be located in an area
as free as possible from disturbed wind flow. Bear in mind that
downwind obstructions can be as detrimental to performance as
upwind obstructions
