How Fast Does the Wind Speed Have to Be?
Modern wind turbines have automatic sensors which will start them producing electricity when the wind speed is high enough, and which will shut the turbine down if the wind speed gets to be so high that the machinery would be damaged. In general, a small wind generator will start working, or “cut-in”, at 3 or 4 m/s (10.8 or 14.4 km/hr). The “rated power” is the maximum power which the wind generator was designed to produce, and will be reached at the “rated wind speed” – often at 15 m/s (54 km/hr). The “cut-out” wind speed, which is the speed at which the generator is shut down to prevent damage, is usually 25m/s (90 km/hr). Note: If the wind speed doubles, you get eight times the power. * Note: 1 m/s = 3.
