The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) recently announced that the U.S. market for small wind turbines (those with capacities of 100 kilowatts or less) grew 78 percent in 2008. Overall, this translates into 17.3 megawatts of new wind-energy capacity.
The AWEA says that residential wind turbines (1-10 kW) continue to lead the market in sales.
“Consumers are looking for affordable ways to improve their energy security and reduce their personal carbon footprint,” says the AWEA’s Ron Stimmel. “Small wind technology can be an answer to that search.”
A recent AWEA study found that despite a global recession, small wind manufacturers predict a 30-fold growth within the U.S. small wind market within as little as five years. The availability of federal tax credits for 30 percent of the cost of small wind turbine installation will likely play a big role in this increase.
For more information, check out this Mother Earth Newsblog about home wind-energy systems or the U.S. Department of Energy’s small wind-turbine consumer guide (PDF).
