A horizontal axis wind turbine which includes a plurality of blades that rotate at relatively low rpms and produce a high torque to rotate a generator is described. The wind turbine provides more power at low to moderate wind speeds than conventional wind turbines, produces more power at low wind speeds while still operating at high wind speeds, begins generating power at very low wind speeds, produces less noise, and reduces animal (e.g., bird and bat) collisions. The method determines the number of blades for the wind turbine based upon the desired rpm for the wind rotor and the generator configuration is based upon the estimated torque generated by the number of blades.