Evaluation of wind energy potential and economics for the city of Kahnuj in Kerman Province, Iran

City of Kahnuj in Iran is analyzed as a power generation source. To install wind farms in a region, the wind energy potential of the area, needs to be surveyed carefully, usually using statistical wind data. In this study, the Weibull distribution and mean wind speed data are applied. The meteorological data have been measured at an altitude of 10m, over a four-year period. Also the monthly, annual and seasonal wind speed variations are investigated, and the economic feasibility is determined of installing wind turbine at the site. According to the data, the numerical values of the shape and scale parameters for Kahnuj have fluctuated wildly. The results show the maximum and minimum monthly amount of wind power density, respectively, for the month of July (472.80 W/m2) and December (60.43 W/m2). The monthly mean wind energy density is in the range of 529 to 4140 (kWh/m2/month). The findings reveal that the annual cost of electricity produced by the 25 kW wind turbine in Kahnuj, is lower compared to corresponding current purchase tariff of renewable energy in Iran.