![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5vgJk4jj5GmErAi0hXGdJQzyDbv4vP0TblFNVTRAAWMvcd2QEGf57ZaBOh1yoV0_6e7VfDPAXTXEApLer4l2_mPxZmAaNIGDWkUfovpcRzt9aEyYiVRvYRtJc0E47xM-fCHPEkthy58h/s320/Darrieus-windmill.jpg)
"Eggbeater" turbines. They have good efficiency, but produce large torque ripple and cyclic stress on the tower, which contributes to poor reliability. Also, they generally require some external power source, or an additional Savonius rotor, to start turning, because the starting torque is very low. The torque ripple is reduced by using three or more blades which results in a higher solidity for the rotor. Solidity is measured by blade area over the rotor area. Newer Darrieus type turbines are not held up by guy-wires but have an external superstructure connected to the top bearing.