Wind turbine rotor blade components and methods of manufacturing the same

A method of manufacturing a rotor blade segment of a wind turbine, the rotor blade segment having a seamless leading edge surface, the method comprising:

• providing a generally flat fiber-reinforced outer skin, the generally flat fiber-reinforced outer skin defining a continuous outer surface comprising a pressure side surface extending between a pressure side aft edge and a pressure side forward edge, a suction side surface extending between a suction side forward edge and a suction side aft edge, and the seamless leading edge surface extending between the pressure side forward edge and the suction side forward edge;
• forming the fiber-reinforced outer skin into a desired shape corresponding to a contour of the outer surface of the rotor blade;
• and,
• folding the fiber-reinforced outer skin about the seamless leading edge surface, whereby the pressure side surface is positioned opposite the suction side surface and the pressure side aft edge is proximate the suction side aft edge.