Appropriate Technologies for Removing Barriers to the Expansion of Renewable Energy in Asia: Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

This ADBI Working Paper assesses the benefits of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) and asserts its advantages over horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs). It further recommends its adoption in Asia and the Pacific region because it operates with slower wind speeds than the required minimum speed of HAWTs. With very fast winds, VAWTs are cheaper and easier to build, install, operate, repair and maintain than HAWTs. VAWTs do not require a large area of land and can be installed near each other, in between HAWTs and in urban areas.