In this regard, wind energy must be considered more carefully than solar energy. Wind energy follows seasonal patterns that provide the best performance in the winter months and the lowest performance in the summer months. This is just the opposite of solar energy. For this reason wind and solar systems work well together in hybrid systems. One of the most active market segments for small wind turbine manufacturers is PV-only system owners who are expanding their system with wind energy.
Most wind turbines are horizontal-axis propeller type systems.
A horizontal-axis wind turbine consists of a rotor, a generator, a mainframe, and, usually, a tail. The rotor captures the kinetic energy of the wind and converts it into rotary motion to drive the generator. The rotor usually consists of two or three blades. A three blade unit can be a little more efficient and will run smoother than a two blade rotor, but they also cost more. The generator is usually specifically designed for the wind turbine.