The wind is everywhere. Even in the city. Why not use its energy? Wind turbines on rooftops are not science fiction, but a reality of 2026. They are increasingly installed in Europe and the USA. In Russia, it's still rare, but interest is growing. We tell you how it works, how much it costs, and whether it's worth it. How a Rooftop Wind Turbine Works The wind turbine converts kinetic energy of the wind into electricity. Vertical turbines (rotor axis is vertical) are usually installed on the roof. They are not as bulky as horizontal ones, do not require rotation to the wind, and work at low wind speeds (from 2 m/s). The blades are quiet (noise up to 35 dB — quieter than a conversation). The turbine is connected to the home grid through an inverter. Electricity goes to household needs. Excess electricity can be sold to the general network (green tariff). Domestic wind turbines have a power of 1-10 kW. Types of Rooftop Wind Turbines Vertical (Darrieus, Savonius) — the most popular for rooftops. They work in any wind direction. They are not afraid of gusts. They can be decorative (in the form of a flower, spiral). Horizontal (propeller) — rarely installed (requires a high mast to not hit neighbors). Noisy, require orientation to the wind. Hybrid (wind turbine + solar panels) — together they produce more energy, especially in cloudy-windy weather. Pros Economy: free energy after payback. Ecology: no CO2 emissions. Independence: the turbine works even during power outages (there are batteries). Silence: modern models are almost inaudible. Durability: 20-25 years. Can be a design element (futuristic shapes). The turbine also reduces the load on the grid during peak hours. Cons Dependence on weather: no energy in calm weather. Batteries are needed (expensive, up to 50% of the cost). Initial costs: turbine + inverter + battery + installation — from 300,000 rubles. Not possible to install in every home (requires permission from neighbors, architectural restrictions). A high m ... Read more