Analyzing the Output of a 1 kW Vertical Wind Turbine in Low-Wind Areas: The Case Study of Madina
Received: 11 June 2025 | Revised: 22 July 2025 and 2 September 2025 | Accepted: 6 September 2025 | Online: 8 December 2025
Corresponding author: Abdussamad Muhammad Sadis
Abstract
Wind energy has been at the forefront of the renewable energy transition. Although Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) remain the most popular, Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) have also gained attention, particularly for turbulent and low-wind-speed locations. However, VAWTs face limitations, such as low self-starting capability and low efficiency. This research evaluates the performance of a 1 kW VAWT in Madinah, focusing on the generated parameters like the voltage, current, power, and energy. Previous studies lacked field data that could be used to empirically determine the capacity factor and power coefficient, a gap addressed in this study. Based on the wind data, the region’s wind speeds are sufficient for power generation, despite being classified as a low-wind area. The study was divided into two phases, with the first phase recording the voltage and current over 7-8 h (divided into 4 short intervals) of different timings. The second phase derived the power by multiplying the voltage and the current. For energy estimation, wind speed data from a typical windy day in March 2025 were analyzed, yielding approximately 230 kWh/day. The turbine generated an average voltage of 32 V, with variations across wind speeds, achieving a power coefficient of 0.29 with a capacity factor of 15%. The ambient temperature was also recorded, revealing a minimal impact on performance.
Keywords:
component, vertical-axis wind turbine, performance analysis, power coefficient, energy, low wind, PVGISDownloads
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Copyright (c) 2025 Abdussamad Muhammad Sadis, Azeddine Draou, Emad Alrwishdi
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