Wind Turbine Profit Calculator

What Is a Wind Turbine Profit Calculator?

A wind turbine profit calculator estimates how much money a turbine earns each day after subtracting operating costs. Whether you own a small residential turbine or are evaluating a commercial installation, this tool helps you answer the key question: are wind turbines worth the investment?

The Profit Formula

Daily wind turbine profit is calculated using a simple equation:

WTP = P × EP − DC

• WTP — wind turbine profit per day
• P — energy generated per day (kWh/day)
• EP — electricity price per kWh
• DC — daily operating cost (maintenance, insurance, land lease, etc.)

Estimating Power Output

If you do not know your turbine's daily output, the calculator can estimate it from wind conditions using:

P = ½ × A × ρ × v³ × μ × 24 / 1000 (kWh/day)

• A — swept area: πr² for horizontal-axis (HAWT) or diameter × height for vertical-axis (VAWT)
• ρ — air density (default 1.225 kg/m³ at 15 °C)
• v — average wind speed in m/s
• μ — turbine efficiency (typically 30–45%)

Real-world efficiency is limited by the Betz limit of 59.3%. Practical turbines rarely exceed 45% efficiency due to mechanical losses, blade design, and variable wind conditions.

Example

A turbine generating 500 kWh/day at $0.12/kWh with $50/day operating costs earns: 500 × 0.12 − 50 = $10/day, or roughly $3,650/year.

For related renewable energy tools, see the Solar Panel Calculator, the Hydroelectric Power Calculator, or the Wind Turbine Calculator.