What are the key differnces of vertical and horizontal wind turbines

[exxcomm0n]

HAWT = horizontal = the old waterpump windmill seen in westerns = GE (I suppose).

VAWT = vertical = air speed measuring device (3 cups on a vertical axis) = blades/vanes traveling on the same plane horizontally

If I'm not mistaken, the horizontal/vertical is referencing the shaft and not the blades or vanes.


If you're thinking of a VAWT, it'll work better if it has a multiple of 3 for amount of vanes/blades (I personally like 6) so there is an imbalance of force on one side (2-4 vanes capturing the wind while 1-2 are moving in opposition to it).

This is a downside of VAWTs in that the design is working against itself (there is always a blade/vane moving in opposition of wind direction), so it is better to always have one side favored and multiples of 3 are good.