Is it less windy behind a windmill?

Question

Please don't answer if you don't know, but if you have a guess that you think is right, then go ahead. I don't want just yes or no answers.

EXPLAIN

Answer 1

It's less windy behind a windmill. Why? The kinetic energy in the wind is converted to electrical energy through the transfer of horizontal kinetic energy to the blades of the windmill, which rotate and turn the generator which creates the electricity. This process is not perfect though, so the wind retains some of the kinetic energy and still moves past the windmill at a reduced rate.

If you look at the wind pattern behind the windmill, right behind it the wind is buffeted and creates vortexes as the transfer of kinetic energy occurs. Think of little sideways dust devils happening. They are usually invisible but if you put smoke through the air to observe the disturbance you can see it in a model. I saw a wind-tunnel demonstration of this once.

So, it's less windy behind the windmill and the wind flow is disturbed from it's regular pattern for a little bit until it settles back down into a smooth flow.

Answer 2

Yes, thats why every wind energy farm I've ever seen in picture or in person has the towers situated essentially in a long side by side pattern, rather than a grid of rows and columns like you might see in a replanted forest.

Answer 3

Yes if you are far enough behind it. It will turn towards the way the wind is blowing. Right up behind it, it will be still, but as you move farther back it gets windier.