The DOE recently reported significant growth in the U.S. wind energy market in 2011.
The DOE recently reported significant growth in the U.S. wind energy market in 2011. According to its 2011 Wind Technologies Market Report, the U.S. remains one of the world’s largest and fastest growing wind markets. Wind power represented 32% of all new electric capacity additions last year, accounting for $14 billion in new investment. What’s more, the DOE found that nearly 70% of equipment installed at U.S. wind farms last year was from domestic manufacturers, doubling from 35% in 2005. Domestic wind power capacity reached 47,000 MW by the end of 2011 and has since grown to 50,000 MW, enough electricity to power 13 million homes annually. However, 2013 may see a dramatic slowing of domestic wind energy deployment because of the possible expiration of federal renewable energy tax incentives, including the Production Tax Credit and the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit.
