Britain today has 30,000 wind turbines onshore, an increase of 13% over the last year.
Analysis of the numbers was conducted by RenewableUK, the wind industry body, but the number is at variance with that of 4,399 quoted elsewhere in the industry.
The discrepancy comes from the lower figure not including the small and mid-sized turbines that have the capacity to produce less than 100kW of electricity each.
The smaller turbines range from "micro" roof-top turbines to those over 100 feet tall. British farmers and landowners have installed thousands of these across the UK.
Their popularity stems from their ability to reduce energy costs over time through a combination of subsidies, selling surplus power and saving on purchased power.
Many of the installations have been subsidised, but Prime Minister Cameron said there would be no further subsidies for onshore turbines if the Conservatives are again elected.
Wind turbines continue to excite strong opposition in communities.
However, indications for 2014 are that the installation of larger turbines is slowing in number due, in part, to a tougher planning regime.
Only 141 turbines of 100kW or greater capacity have been installed so far this year.
Jennifer Webber, director of external affairs at RenewableUK, said: “Small and medium wind turbines are a lifeline for Britain's rural economy – research shows that 40% of farmers are generating much-needed income from renewables, and a further 61% are intending to do so over the next five years, so we could soon see three out of every four farmers using renewable energy.
“The vast majority of the onshore wind turbines installed in the UK are micro, small and medium-sized turbines installed by people living in rural areas generating their own power, and protecting themselves from the cost of having to import energy”.
