Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy reported that in 2012, wind energy was the fastest-growing power-generation sector for the first time in our nation’s history. The sector accounted for 43 percent of all new U.S. electric generation capacity and $25 billion in new investment.
Check out the infographic below for more statistics from the report:
You can also watch how wind energy has grown across the U.S. with the Department of Energy’s new interactive map. See where and when wind farms were assembled over the past four decades (snapshot shown above right).
Minnesota is no stranger to advancing wind energy projects. Xcel Energy has proposed a $1.1 million grant to help install 50 10-kilowatt turbines in Stearns, Benton, and Meeker Ctounties. The new turbines would be on a smaller scale, 120ft high, rather than the towering 400ft turbines in southern Minnesota. The turbines would be based on farms and landowners would have to pay a share of the cost. The grant would significantly reduce the cost and shorten the payback period. If you are interested in starting your own small or commercial wind project, check out the Clean Energy Project Builder website for advice on how to get started and what companies to use.
