A new analysis by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory finds that the U.S. capacity for wind power is significantly greater than early estimates predicted.
The study indicates that onshore U.S. wind resources could generate nearly 37 million gigawatt hours annually--more than nine times the current total U.S. electricity consumption.
According to the American Wind Energy Assn., the U.S. wind industry added nearly 10,000 megawatts of new capacity in 2009, enough to power the equivalent of 2.4 million homes. Wind turbines in place at the end of the year were producing more than 35,000 megawatts, enough to power the equivalent of some 9.7 million homes.
According to the association, Texas saw the largest jump in 2009 in installed capacity, adding 2,292 megawatts in 2009. Texas was followed by Indiana, Iowa, Oregon and Illinois as states adding the most capacity for the year.
To read the complete study, go to http://www.awea.org/publications/reports/
4Q09.pdf.
