The wind is a by-product of uneven heating of the Earth's atmosphere by the sun, and has a very complex distribution pattern. Though widely spread, winds are most prevalent along coasts, at higher elevations and at higher latitudes.
The power in the wind is proportional to the cube of it's speed, twice the wind speed gives eight times the power, small differences in average windspeed cause large differences in available wind energy. So, for optimum performance it is important to find a site which offers the highest overall windspeeds.
Avoid locations with excessive gustiness or turbulence, since these will reduce the output from a wind turbine and lead to undue wear and strain on component parts.
Siting should take account of exposure to the prevailing winds. Factors such as surface roughness and obstructions are important, eg. Woodland or built up areas will create higher turbulence than open grassland, cliff tops are to be avoided, and wind generators must be sited clear of obstructions to the wind. A useful rule is to place the turbine at a distance from any obstacle (building etc.) of at least ten times the height of the obstacle, or on a tower that is at least twice that height.
Windspeed can increase dramatically with height, especially over rough surfaces, such as in wooded or hilly areas. This means a significant increase in power production can often be obtained for a given cost by using a smaller wind generator on a taller tower rather than simply using a larger machine.
The ideal site for a wind turbine is a smooth hill top, with a flat, clear fetch at least in the prevailing wind direction. Near the top of the hill the wind speeds up significantly and the flow should be reasonably smooth.
In practice, especially for small machines there is a compromise between choosing the best wind site and other considerations.
We use Wind Generators manufactured here in Spain By Juan Bornay