DOE reports Distributed Wind has surpassed 1 GW; Industry poised for further growth

In 2017, 21 states added 83.7 MW of new distributed wind capacity. Iowa leads all states with 63.5 MW installed distributed capacity.

“Despite minimal policy support, the market is poised for further growth in response to the recent ITC extension," said Jennifer Jenkins, AWEA’s Distributed Wind Program Director. “We are working with industry to leverage the ITC, its proven success in reaching this important milestone, and drive new markets like C&I and microgrids.”

In contrast with utility-scale wind farms, which are larger with an average capacity of roughly 200 megawatts (MW), distributed wind systems are generally connected behind the meter or to a local distribution grid. Distributed wind can range in size from a one kilowatt (kW) or smaller off-grid wind turbine, to a ten kW turbine at a home or farm, to several multi-megawatt wind turbines at a university campus, manufacturing facility, or small community.

For additional project data, see PNNL's distributed wind web page.