The big idea is this: a wind farm is rows and rows of wind machines. Those rows at the "front" - facing into the wind - disturb the air flowing to those in following rows. But, if you make some rows of wind machines just a bit less efficient by making them point slightly sideways to the wind, overall, that lets more "fresh air" make it to rows further downwind.The overall effect is that the farm itself produces more energy.
There's a rub to this and it depends on how the wind farms were sold. When I was doing wind energy and consulting on wind farm sales, frequently (this was 40 years ago) individual wind machines were sold to individual investors, such as wealthy people taking advantage of tax incentives (don't get me started on that one).
So, I own one of those machines, and my monthly income depends on how much energy my machine produces; if they turn my machine sideways, I get smaller checks; I'm not going to be a happy camper.
Having said that, it may be the case today - I've done no research on this - that individuals don't buy machines in that way anymore. (edit: fixed typo)
There's a rub to this and it depends on how the wind farms were sold. When I was doing wind energy and consulting on wind farm sales, frequently (this was 40 years ago) individual wind machines were sold to individual investors, such as wealthy people taking advantage of tax incentives (don't get me started on that one).
So, I own one of those machines, and my monthly income depends on how much energy my machine produces; if they turn my machine sideways, I get smaller checks; I'm not going to be a happy camper.
Having said that, it may be the case today - I've done no research on this - that individuals don't buy machines in that way anymore. (edit: fixed typo)