Abstract: Abstract The paper highlights the prospects for development of vertical-axis wind turbines in the world and in Russia. Vertical-axis wind turbines are considered, and their general characteristics and their advantages and disadvantages are provided. The results of experimental studies in the wind tunnel and mathematical analysis of the impact of interaction of individual structural components on the wind turbine output characteristics are reported, and recommendations on the choice of x design parameters of wind turbines to improve energy performance are elaborated.