
One of the advantages of placing wind turbines in an urban environment is the efficiency gained in generating the energy where it is needed. Typically, energy, whether from coal, nuclear, or hydro, is generated far away from where it is used. The transmission of energy across large distances introduces considerable losses resulting in lower efficiencies.
A vertical axis wind turbine placed in an urban environment has almost no loss do to transmission. Furthermore, urban environments often allow for placement of wind turbines without a costly and space consuming tower. Rooftops provide a platform for wind turbines with the need of only a short tower.