THE TOP TWENTY STATES
for Wind Energy Potential as measured by annual energy potential in the billions of kWh, factoring in environmental and land use exclusions for wind class of 3 and higher. |
Rank |
State |
B kWh/yr |
Rank |
State |
B kWh/yr |
1. |
N. Dakota |
1,210 |
11. |
Colorado |
481 |
2. |
Texas |
1,190 |
12. |
N. Mexico |
435 |
3. |
Kansas |
1,070 |
13. |
Idaho |
73 |
4. |
S. Dakota |
1,030 |
14. |
Michigan |
65 |
5. |
Montana |
1,020 |
15. |
New York |
62 |
6. |
Nebraska |
868 |
16. |
Illinois |
61 |
7. |
Wyoming |
747 |
17. |
California |
59 |
8. |
Oklahoma |
725 |
18. |
Wisconsin |
58 |
9. |
Minnesota |
657 |
19. |
Maine |
56 |
10. |
Iowa |
551 |
20. |
Missouri |
52 |
Source: An Assessment of the Available Windy Land Area and Wind Energy Potential in the Contiguous United States, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, August 1991. PNL-7789 |
 These reasons and many others are slowly being acted upon and it is most wind proponents guess that many of these issues will be improved soon.
Michigan has had commercial scale wind power since 1996 when Traverse City Light & power constructed a 160foot 0.6 MW wind turbine with 72foot blades. Over the past 10 years it has produced enough electricity to power 160 homes per year.
In 2001 Mackinaw City erected two 0.9 MW each, wind turbines at 235 feet tall with 85foot blades. Together both turbines power 600 homes per year.
In 2005 Laker School in Pigeon Erected 3 refurbished 65 KW Wind Turbines. They started partial operation in January 2007.
In 2008 additional commercial scale wind farms will be going on line in many counties around our state. Bragging rights for the first commercial scale wind farm in Michigan will go to the Harvest wind farm project in Huron County, MI
Home and business scale wind electric systems have been in use for decades throughout our state.
A few well known systems are:
•
The Smiley/Kopka Residence in Suttons Bay, MI.
• The Toy Residence In Lawrence, MI a 10 kw Bergy grid tie system.
• Rudy’s home in Tustin, MI a 2400w off grid Jacobs system installed in 1985 and still operating today.
 Michigan’s Wind Resource maps were updated and released in October of 2004. These maps were developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the U.S. Dept. of Energy, The wind speed maps show the predicted mean wind speed (MPH) in Michigan at four different heights. 30m (98 feet), 50m (164 feet), 70m (229 feet) and 100m (328 feet). Four maps were produced because wind speeds vary and are greater at higher heights. These maps show Michigan as having good potential for wind energy production. Wind is measured on a scale from Class 1 through 7, with Class 7 wind speeds being the highest. For utility-scale turbines, Class 3 wind and above is needed for project development. Home and business size systems (small Wind) need class 2, 3 or greater for project development.
Click Here For Michigan Wind Energy Resource Maps
Michigan Wind Information Resources and Publications
Small Wind Electric Systems – A Michigan Consumers Guide to wind energy systems is a valuable guide to provide you with basic information about small wind electric systems. This publication can help you decide if wind energy will work for you. Click Here (PDF)
• AWEA Guide to Small Wind in Michigan
• Michigan Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
• Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth
• Michigan Public Service Commission – Net Metering and interconnection policy
• Michigan Wind Working Group
• Michigan Wind Manufacturing Working Group
• MSU Extension Wind Energy Home Page
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Michigan Wind 