Wind Farm Layout Calculator

Design efficient wind farm rows within constrained sites. Tune rotor-based spacing and orientation for access. Export results to share with planners and contractors easily.

Inputs
Use rotor-diameter spacing ratios for quick planning. For detailed engineering, validate with terrain, setbacks, grid interconnection, and micrositing studies.
Total site length along dominant axis.
Total site width across dominant axis.
Excluded edge distance for roads, ecology, property lines.
Used to convert D-based spacing into meters.
Nameplate power of a single turbine.
Gross expected long-term capacity factor.
Typical planning range: 5D to 10D.
Typical planning range: 3D to 6D.
Staggered rows can reduce wake interactions.
0° aligns rows to site axes; higher angles reduce fit.
Reset
Example Data Table
Site (m) Buffer (m) Rotor (m) Spacing (Down/Cross) Pattern Turbines Capacity (MW) Annual Energy (MWh)
12000 × 7000 300 170 8D / 5D Grid 56 280 872,087
15000 × 9000 400 200 7D / 4D Staggered 105 525 1,548,000
Example values are illustrative planning outputs and should be validated with detailed micrositing.
Formula Used
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the site length and width in meters.
  2. Add a setback buffer to exclude edge constraints.
  3. Provide rotor diameter and rated power per turbine.
  4. Set the expected gross capacity factor percentage.
  5. Choose spacing ratios in multiples of rotor diameter.
  6. Select grid or staggered pattern for the rows.
  7. Set wind angle to reflect dominant direction alignment.
  8. Press calculate and review turbines, capacity, and energy.
  9. Use CSV and PDF exports to share results.

Site geometry and developable area

Wind farm layout begins with a clear definition of developable land. A setback buffer accounts for property lines, roads, water bodies, and ecological exclusions. The calculator converts total site length and width into an effective buildable rectangle. This helps planners confirm whether spacing targets are feasible before investing time in detailed micrositing and environmental screening.

Rotor-based spacing and access planning

Spacing is expressed as multiples of rotor diameter to keep inputs consistent across turbine models. Downwind spacing influences wake recovery, while crosswind spacing supports crane pads, haul routes, and maintenance access. Typical early-stage values are 5D–10D downwind and 3D–6D crosswind, with higher values reducing wake losses but also reducing turbine count.

Pattern selection and wind direction alignment

Grid layouts simplify roads and collection routing, but staggered rows can reduce direct wake overlap. The wind angle field provides a conservative fit adjustment when rows are not aligned with site axes. Use this field to test sensitivity: if a modest angle sharply reduces fit, consider rotating the array or re-shaping the developable boundary.

Energy estimation and wake-loss assumptions

Annual energy is estimated from installed capacity, hours per year, and a net capacity factor. The net capacity factor applies a bounded wake-loss factor driven by spacing. This is a planning proxy, not a substitute for CFD or validated wake models. Use the wake-loss result to compare options consistently across scenarios rather than to finalize production guarantees.

Collection cabling and density checks

Electrical collection costs can be material for construction budgets. The calculator provides a grid-based cabling estimate using neighbor-to-neighbor routing. Combine this with turbines per square kilometer to benchmark density versus similar projects. If density is high, validate turning radii, substation placement, and construction sequencing to avoid costly rework.

Example data
Length (m) Width (m) Buffer (m) Rotor (m) Down/Cross Pattern Rated (MW) CF (%)
12000 7000 300 170 8D / 5D Grid 5.0 40
15000 9000 400 200 7D / 4D Staggered 5.0 38
Run these scenarios to compare turbine count, wake loss, and cable distance.
FAQs
1) What spacing should I start with for early feasibility?
Start near 7D–9D downwind and 4D–5D crosswind, then test tighter and wider cases. Compare turbine count, wake loss, and access implications before moving to micrositing.
2) Why does the turbine count drop when wind angle increases?
Non-aligned arrays tend to waste usable corners and require more clearance. The calculator applies a conservative planning penalty to reflect that fewer full spacing cells typically fit after rotation.
3) Is the wake-loss value suitable for financial close energy modeling?
No. It is a bounded planning proxy based on spacing. For financing, use validated wake models, hub-height wind distributions, losses by sector, and measured data where available.
4) When should I choose a staggered pattern?
Staggered rows can reduce direct wake overlap and sometimes lower cabling. Choose it when prevailing winds are consistent and access roads can accommodate offsets without adding major earthworks.
5) How do setbacks affect layout decisions?
Setbacks shrink the developable rectangle and can remove entire rows or columns. Use buffers to represent constraint zones, then iterate spacing and pattern until the layout is realistic.
6) What does the cable length estimate include?
It approximates inter-turbine collection using neighbor connections across rows and columns. It does not include feeder routing to the substation, terrain detours, or required slack for installation.
7) Can I use this for offshore wind farms?
You can compare spacing scenarios, but offshore constraints differ. Include navigation corridors, cable burial routes, water depth limits, and installation vessel requirements in a separate engineering review.

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Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.