The onshore turbines are located in the hills or in the mountains because they are more likely to be on ridgelines. Also because the hill or the ridge can have fast wind speeds and it can force it over to the turbines. It is very important that the positions of the turbines are kept an eye on because if a mistake is made then there could be a doubling of output. The local winds are checked for over a year by anemometers and a detailed wind map is drawn up before the wind generators are installed. Another way to monitor a wind site is to look at the trees and see if there are any deformed trees that would be made by very strong winds.
Offshore wind turbines can be measured right away because when you have something in the ocean or a body of water, there is nothing that surrounds them by water and wind. You are in an open space and the readings can be accurate. The turbines can look any way they want because no one can see them so it doesn’t matter if they are big and ugly. They can do their job and no one can complain. Another problem of the off shore is that they are not easily accessible. The cost is more to set them up offshore than on.
Turbines can also be set up airborne. There are no restrictions up there because all it is is air. They can be flown at a high rate of speed that cannot be accomplished on the ground. Companies are trying to come up with a concept that will send a turbine in the air with some sort of lifting device so that you don’t have to send up a plane when you want to take measurements. Almost like a hot air balloon with a wind turbine attached.
