America’s small wind turbine industry saw substantial growth in 2010, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reported, highlighted by a 26 per cent expansion in the market for small wind systems with 25.6MW of capacity added, as well as a robust increase in sales revenue.
Nearly 8,000 small wind units were sold last year, totaling US$ 139 million in sales. Growth in 2010 pushed cumulative sales in the USA to an estimated 179MW of capacity. Small wind’s 2010 growth was supported by sound policy at the federal, state, and local levels. Those policies enabled more than US$ 30 million in rebates, tax credits, and grants to go to small wind purchasers, users, and others. Though more than 30 states offered small wind incentives and grants, a long-term and consistent federal policy is crucial to the growth of the country’s small wind industry. The current Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for small wind expires at the end of 2016.
Nearly 8,000 small wind units were sold last year, totaling US$ 139 million in sales. Growth in 2010 pushed cumulative sales in the USA to an estimated 179MW of capacity. Small wind’s 2010 growth was supported by sound policy at the federal, state, and local levels. Those policies enabled more than US$ 30 million in rebates, tax credits, and grants to go to small wind purchasers, users, and others. Though more than 30 states offered small wind incentives and grants, a long-term and consistent federal policy is crucial to the growth of the country’s small wind industry. The current Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for small wind expires at the end of 2016.