Wind Energy Factsheet

Aug 01, 2018
  • Description

Approximately 2% of the solar energy striking the Earth's surface is converted to kinetic energy in wind.Wind turbines convert the wind's kinetic energy to electricity without emissions. The distribution of wind energy is heterogeneous, both across the surface of the Earth and vertically through the atmosphere. Class 3 winds (average annual speed of 14.3 to 15.7 mph at 50m) are the minimum needed for a commercially viable project. Only 3% of U.S. electricity was derived from wind energy in 2017, but wind capacity is increasing rapidly.