The aim of this thesis work is to investigate the performances of an innovative vertical axis wind turbine. The project, belonging to Rotor s.r.l., is characterized by a rotating three-blade drag-driven body and by a special instrument able to regulate the rotation velocity of the wind turbine depending on the external wind. The first step faced in this thesis is to frame the wind energy, both in terms of history and current state of art. Then, a general overview on the actual renewable diffusion and trends is presented. A special economical focus is done on the comparison between Rotor’s wind turbine and classical monocrystalline solar panels.