7 Wind Classes for Wind Power:

Speed Suggested Use 1 100-200 - 2 200-300 Small Wind 3 300-400 Large Wind Production 4 400-500 Large Wind Production 5 500-600 Large Wind Production 6 600-800 Large Wind Production 7 800+ Large Wind Production

For over 100 years, information about wind energy has been collected throughout the world. To make better use of the collected data, a standard for the classification of wind speed and wind power was developed. This provided a tool for measuring the feasibility of wind as a power source.

Wind classification divides wind power into 7 classes with Class 1 being the least energetic and Class 7 being the most energetic. Wind classifications most often are in metric. (Conversion Refresher: One meter = 39.37" or 3.28'.)

Wind Speed is measured as meters per second (m/s). Wind Power Potential measures the potential electric energy that can be generated in a square meter (m²) of wind, Watts per square meter (W/m²). For more information about wind classification go to:

The National Wind Technology Center

WINDPOWER.org Guided Tour On Wind Energy

For the purpose of developing a large scale wind farm, Class 3 winds or higher are necessary. To consider a small wind turbine installation, Class 2 winds or higher are necessary. The higher the Wind Class number, the better the conditions for wind generation.