This has kept the US in second position for 2012 installations, slightly behind the 14GW claimed to have been installed in China by the Chinese Wind Energy Industry Association.
In the US, 8.4GW was installed in the fourth quarter alone, an all-time national record, said the trade group in its fourth quarter 2012 market report.
The new annual high brought America’s total installed wind capacity to 60.0GW, keeping America in the number two position worldwide for grid-connected capacity after China’s 60.8GW.
Around $25 billion in private investment was poured into US wind in 2012.
Wind was also the leading source of new US electric generating capacity last year, beating natural gas and providing 42% of all new installations.
"It’s a real testament to American innovation and hard work that for the first time ever a renewable energy source was number one," said Rob Gramlich, the trade group’s Interim CEO.
.png)
.png)
