This research presents the modelling of struts of a vertical axis wind turbine and its effects on the wake and performance. The 3D non-linear lifting line solver CACTUS is extended to include the struts in the rotor as lifting bodies. A case study is performed for different strut configurations in the rotor, with the focus set on the inclination angle of the struts. The results are analyzed and compared to the reference turbine excluding struts. The inclined strut's interference on the main rotor blade reduces blade loadings on the downwind pass. Part of the torque generation by the blades is therefore transferred to the struts, also incurring a small loss. It is furthermore found that the inclusion of the inclined struts distorts the flow field in the wake. The wake tends to expand and deflect more downstream then without the struts.