Power windmills

[requiem]

Why are those windmills, the ones used to generate electricity, always pure white? Why aren't they blue, green or any other colour that might blend into the background a bit better? The only reason I can think for this is the need to reflect the sun's rays; a requirement to keep heat to a minimum, but I've no idea why a cold windmill would work better than a hot one. Any ideas?

[gazzawazza]

I really like these sort of questions, the ones that just bother people for no reason at all... First of all, would coloured ones blend in better? Surely the whole point of a windfarm is to site it in an open space which isn't protected by trees, hills, or other features of the terrain?

Second, because of the above, is white considered the best choice to "hide" the windmill against a (usually)greyish sky (looking from the ground)? And

Third is this the real reason why they are white, so they will show up against the terrain when viewed from an aircraft???

I don't know if this is right but it's a possibility...

[darth vader]

now now gazza calm down!

From a person's perpective you are looking up at them so the only thing in the background would be sky (well cloud in this country...) hence they do actually blend in with the background. My question is why don't they pack a lot more in and put them closer together? surely the yield would be increased....

[rja211077]

It's purely about visual perception. It's impossible to hide a wind turbine. Making it grey, green or blue just wouldn't work. Making it white emphasises the sculptural aspects and says "I'm here, I'm a renewable energy source, I'm a GOOD thing". White is a pure, positive colour. Trust me on this - I studied the environmental assessment of wind turbines as part of my degree and now work as an environmental consultant. Papers have been produced on the topic of the colour of wind turbines - they concluded white was the best for the reasons above.

[Metaphysical]

Oh! I thought it was just because they had an excess of white paint!

[gazzawazza]

Darth, what are you on about? That is exactly the point I was making...

[darth vader]

I dunno... perhaps i wasn't using the force. I'm not having a good day TBH, someone's nicked my light saber for starters.....

[cupra]

To be really pedantic (and by definition, really annoying!), they should be called wind turbines (as in rja's answer) - coz there's no flour coming out of the bottom of them! ;-)

[mash]

Several trials using different colours were made in order to help them blend in to the background. The conclusion was 'off white'. They are pretty much all produced and shipped out as off white, although one or two companies use a slight variation. One company in the UK prefers pale gray as our skies are usually that colour!