🌬️ Wind Turbine Profit Calculator
Estimate a wind turbine’s yearly energy output, revenue, payback period, and lifetime profit based on its rated power and typical capacity factor.
How wind turbine economics work
A wind turbine rarely produces its full rated power around the clock — wind speed varies — so output is expressed using a capacity factor: the fraction of maximum possible output the turbine actually delivers on average over a year. Small residential turbines typically see capacity factors around 15-35%, while large modern wind-farm turbines can reach 35-50% in good sites.
The formula
Annual energy (kWh) = rated power (kW) × 8,760 hours/year × capacity factor. Annual revenue is that energy multiplied by your electricity price, minus yearly maintenance costs gives annual net profit. Payback period is the installation cost divided by annual net profit, and lifetime profit multiplies annual profit by the turbine’s expected lifespan and subtracts the upfront installation cost.
Actual results depend heavily on site wind resource, turbine efficiency curve, financing, incentives, and maintenance history. This tool provides a general planning estimate only, not a substitute for a professional site assessment.