Analysis of wind energy characteristics and wind turbine selection for residential use: a case study

• Wind energy potential is evaluated using the Weibull distribution model • First assessment of subtropical desert climate conditions of Iraq for wind power • Four 5kW horizontal wind turbine models for domestic use are assessed • Wind turbine performance improves by raising the mast from 10 m to 30 m • The potential CO 2 savings based on the 2023 energy mix are significant This research presents the analysis of wind energy potential using the Weibull distribution based on high-resolution hourly meteorological data in Al-Qadisiya, Iraq. This analysis provides novel insight into the investment prospects for wind energy in the subtropical desertic region of Iraq, which was previously unassessed. Four 5 kW horizontal wind turbine models for domestic use are assessed to select the most suitable type, at various hub heights. These models are from mainstream manufacturers Galaxy, Zonhan, InkPV, and SkyPower. The wind speed, energy production, and capacity factor for the turbines at 10m and 30 m hub heights were compared. A large monthly variation is observed in the calculated shape and scale coefficients about their respective annual average of 2.75 and 5.05. The results showed that wind energy could avoid between 10944.22kg and 14997kg of CO 2 equivalent emissions annually at the hub heights of 10m and 30m respectively, compared to Diesel electricity generation. The Galaxy wind turbine is shown to have the highest energy production and capacity factor at both investigated hub heights. For installations constrained by height or budget, the Zonhan turbine provides a good compromise between performance and CO 2 emission reduction potential. These results are significant for the energy sector policy development in the subtropical desert climate, as they inform the incentivization of domestic wind power sources. The methodology has good extensibility potential to other arid and barren lands worldwide.