Two Main Types of Wind Turbines - Horizontal Axis and Vertical Axis

Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines

- blades attached to horizontal shaft

-  main rotor shaft and generator located closer to top of wind turbine

- awkwardly top heavy

- roughly 30 feet off the ground

- more production capacity

- must be pointed into the wind

- can be located roughly anywhwere

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

- blades attached to vertical shaft

- generator located lower to the ground

- very light easily moved

- located closer to the ground

- less production capacity

- does not have to be pointed directly into the wind

- must be located on flat land