Estimation of weibull parameters for wind energy application in Iran's cities

Wind speed is the most important parameter in the design and study of wind energy conversion systems. The weibull distribution is commonly used for wind energy analysis as it can represent the wind variations with an acceptable level of accuracy. In this study, the wind data for 11 cities in Iran have been analysed over a period of one year. The Goodness of fit test is used for testing data fit to weibull distribution. The results show that this data fit to weibull function very well. The scale and shape factors are two parameters of the weibull distribution that depend on the area under study. The kinds of numerical methods commonly used for estimating weibull parameters are reviewed. Their performance for the cities under study was compared according to root mean square and wind energy errors. The result of the study reveals the empirical, modified maximum likelihood estimate of wind speed with minimum error. Also, that the moment and modified maximum likelihood are the best methods for estimating the energy production of wind turbines.