After an exhaustive consultative process initiated in July 2008, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) on 20 March 2009, announced a comprehensive order on wind energy tariff to be applicable from 19 September 2008.

The small wind turbine technology is a potential source of energy for electrical power in rural and remote areas, which are otherwise difficult to connect to the grid.

A small wind turbine is a wind powered electric generator with a capacity of less than 30 kilowatts. Small wind turbines can be put to use efficiently for power generation at very low or

Compared to other global small wind turbine (SWT) markets, India has a minuscule installed capacity of SWT/PV-wind hybrid energy systems of about 890 kW (as on January 2009) and hence there is ample scope for SWT or renewable energy hybrid systems sector to grow.

Farmers are not alone in keeping a close eye on the weather-in the control centres of the energy sector and on the trading floor of the electricity exchange, too, it is always good to know exactly when the wind will be blowing or the sun shining. The special services offered by meteorologists are here invaluable aids to decision-making.

After spurning wind power, China has swung around and embraced this clean energy. But the nation's love affair with wind may be spinning out of control, finds David Cyranoski.

The writer offers an insight into wind power technology in India - the current trends, progress, challenges and new innovations.