News about Solar, Wind and alternative green power technologies

The Global Market Study conducted by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) was recently released. The report suggests that in the United States small wind turbines are being increasingly used. The small scale wind turbines are defined as with a producing capacity of 100kW and below. In 2009, around 20.3 MW of wind energy capacity was added amounting to a monetary value of $82.4 million in sales. This shows how strong the steady growth in small wind turbines is.

The increase in national wind energy capacity has been expanding at a momentum pace with the sales of 9,800 units. The AWEA suggests that more than half of the small wind capacity installed has been erected over the recent 3 years.

The use of wind energy has even been expanding during harsh economic times. In 2008, the United States market for small wind turbines increased with 17.3 MW. The growth in the industry has stood stable at a rate of 15 percent growth during both positive and negative economic outlooks.

The Global Market Study supported the fact that the local renewable energy industry is sustaining employment. It was estimated that up to 95 percent of the systems sold in the market was manufactured by U.S firms. Moreover, around two-third of the wind turbines sold in the United States was also produced by domestic manufactures.

In the United States, the top companies producing small wind systems are:

1. Southwest Windpower
2. Northern Power systems
3. Bergey Windpower Co

It was also highlighted in the study that 187 units were set up in urban and rooftop settings, having a capacity of around 400 kW. This represents a minor figure of not more than 2 percent of the small wind market in the United States. There are some of these small wind turbines that have been installed near to buildings and the winds are thus unpredictable. So, these wind turbines have had performance problems.

The engine behind the growth of wind energy is certainly related to the investment tax credit offered by the government. The growth of wind energy is taking off in various regions with large and small projects. A progressive growth is expected to be seen in the years to come.

Source: Jetson Green

Download: The 2010 AWEA Report for Small Wind Global Market.