SMALL WIND / PRACTICAL ANSWERS
How much electricity does a 5 kW wind turbine produce per day?
The 5 kW rating tells you the turbine’s power class. Daily energy depends on the wind at your site and the turbine’s performance.
See the calculationThe short answer
A 5 kW wind turbine has no fixed daily output. As a calculation example, a 20% annual net capacity factor gives 8,760 kWh per year — an annual average of 24 kWh per day.
The 20% value is an assumption, not a measured MARSTON result or a prediction for your site. Actual generation can be lower or higher.
01 / UNDERSTAND THE NUMBERS
One power rating. Different energy outcomes.
These scenarios show the arithmetic for the same 5 kW rating. 10%, 20% and 30% are chosen examples, not a typical-performance range. A site assessment must establish its own result.
| Assumed annual net capacity factor | Annual-average energy per day | Annual energy |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | 12 kWh | 4,380 kWh |
| 20% | 24 kWh | 8,760 kWh |
| 30% | 36 kWh | 13,140 kWh |
Annual energy = 5 kW × 8,760 hours × assumed capacity factor
Daily average = annual energy ÷ 365. For the 20% example: 5 × 8,760 × 0.20 = 8,760 kWh/year; 8,760 ÷ 365 = 24 kWh/day.
An annual average is not a daily supply guarantee. Some days can produce much less; others can produce more.
What does “capacity factor” mean?
It compares energy produced over a period with the energy from continuous operation at the rated power over the same period. A 20% capacity factor does not mean the wind blows for only 20% of the time.
In this example, “net” means energy at the system AC output, with losses up to that point already included in the assumed factor. Do not deduct those same losses again. Energy used by a load, stored or exported may be different.
02 / THE QUESTIONS BEHIND THE NUMBER
What should you check before choosing a turbine?
Why not simply calculate 5 × 24 = 120 kWh?
That calculation assumes the turbine holds 5 kW for all 24 hours. A wind turbine’s output changes with wind speed and operating conditions. The rating alone does not tell you how many hours it will produce at that level.
120 kWh is the arithmetic for a full day at rated power, not an expected daily yield.
What do you need for a real energy estimate?
Start with an applicable power curve and wind data at the proposed hub height. The power curve shows the turbine’s output at different wind speeds; the wind data shows how often those conditions occur.
- Site location, terrain and nearby obstacles.
- Wind-speed records, their measurement height and period.
- The proposed tower height and installation position.
- The applicable turbine power curve and its output measurement point.
- Electrical losses, downtime and any limits on generation or export.
Multiply the output for each wind condition by the time spent in that condition, then add the energy and account for losses consistently. See the annual-energy calculation guide.
How much will a 5 kW turbine produce at 5 m/s?
There is no universal 5 kW-turbine output at 5 m/s. Use the selected model’s applicable power curve. A single wind speed also cannot predict a day’s generation: you need to know how the wind changes over time.
Likewise, putting the annual average wind speed into a power curve does not give the annual average power. The distribution of wind speeds matters.
Can a 5 kW wind turbine power a house or a small business?
It may supply part of the site’s energy needs, but check both energy use in kWh and power demand in kW. Compare the timing of generation with the timing of the load.
A site using 24 kWh per day could still have high demand while the wind turbine is producing little. Matching annual totals does not establish continuous supply. Include the grid, backup or a separately assessed storage system in the supply plan where required.
Will electric yaw guarantee more daily generation?
Electric yaw controls the turbine’s orientation relative to the wind. It does not establish a daily energy yield by itself. To quantify an energy benefit, compare applicable performance evidence under the same wind and installation conditions.
Should I choose a 5 kW or a 10 kW turbine?
Compare their predicted energy at the same site, with the same wind data and loss assumptions. Then compare tower and foundation requirements, electrical equipment, installation and cost. Doubling the rated power alone does not prove that annual energy will double.
Sources and calculation notes
The general energy-assessment method follows the U.S. Department of Energy’s Small Wind Guidebook. The capacity-factor definition is consistent with the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s glossary.
The scenario table is original arithmetic using stated assumptions. It contains no measured turbine results and no MARSTON annual-energy claim. Public references explain the method; they do not verify a particular MARSTON product.
03 / YOUR SITE AND ENERGY NEEDS
What could a 5 kW turbine contribute at your site?
Send your location, available wind records and their measurement height, proposed tower height and electricity demand. Say whether you need grid-connected operation or an off-grid system, and identify the equipment already on site.
No wind measurements yet? Start with the information you have and tell us what is still unknown.