AWEA: Wind power takes new U.S. generating system in 2012

Wind energy industry had the U.S. its strongest year ever in the year 2012, who proclaimed American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) on 30 January. The industry installed a record 13.124 megawatts (MW) United States electrical generation capacity last year, more than 60,000 MW cumulative wind power reach capacity, enough, makes the almost 15 million homes. The annual total output surpasses the previous record of 10,000 MW in 2010 installed. For the first time, wind energy was the number one source of new United States electrical generation plants, 42% of all new generating capacity.

In last year's fourth quarter alone 8.380 MW installed were, so it makes the strongest quarter in the history of the United States of wind. AWEA pointed out that this was due to production tax credit to a large extent on the imminent expiration of the Federal Republic. It was planned, on December 31, 2012, but in the end the American taxpayer was extended by Congress as part of relief Act of the year 2012.

The top 10 States for new capacity installations in the year 2012, in order, were Texas (1,826 MW), California (1,656 MW), Kansas (1440 MW), Oklahoma (1,127 MW), Illinois (823 MW) (Iowa) (814 MW), Oregon (640 MW), Michigan (611 MW), Pennsylvania (550 MW), and Colorado (496 MW). Golden State won its position as the second largest State in installed wind capacity surpassed Iowa, which was reached the 5,000-MW milestone in wind capacity, following Texas, and in addition to the Iowa number two since 2008 — California. See AWEA press release.

View the original article here