Increased wind power capacity, additional domestic wind turbine manufacturing, and declining offshore wind development costs supported the growth and expansion of the U.S. wind power market in 2016, as detailed in three market reports released by the Energy Department:

• 2016 Wind Technologies Market Report
• 2016 Distributed Wind Market Report
• 2016 Offshore Wind Technologies Market Report

Supported by favorable tax policy and other drivers, cumulative U.S. wind power grew by 11% in 2016, representing 27% of all new capacity additions in 2016. Texas installed 2,611 megawatts of capacity—the most in the nation—and 9 states achieved wind penetration levels of 15% or higher. 

Wind turbines in distributed applications are found in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam to provide energy locally, either serving on-site electricity needs or a local grid. In 2016, the United States added 45.4 megawatts (MW) of new distributed wind capacity, representing 2,585 turbine units and $163 million in investment.

The United States added its first commercial offshore wind farm in 2016, located off the coast of Block Island, Rhode Island. Decreasing global costs, marked by European auction strike prices, and stronger state policy commitments have led to increased confidence in the U.S. offshore wind market.

• 2015 Wind Market Reports
• 2014 Wind Market Reports
• 2013 Wind Market Reports
• 2012 Wind Market Reports