Wind capacity in the United States has hit and crossed the 100-gigawatt (GW) marker, according to a comprehensive report from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

This is an important milestone, as wind energy is now the single largest source of renewable generation in the country, said Tom Kiernan, CEO of AWEA.

The first utility-scale wind farm in the U.S. was introduced to California in 1981, and it took 27 years for the industry to hit its first 25 GW mark.

Within four years, the second 25 GW was marked. In 2016, the first offshore wind farm began operation, and now, the 100 GW milestone has been achieved.

 "Wind now supplies clean and efficient power to the equivalent of 32 million American homes, sustains 500 U.S. factories, and delivers more than one billion dollars a year in new revenue to rural communities and states," Kiernan said.

Texas is leading among current installers, bringing in 2,129 MW over the quarter and boasting more than a quarter of U.S. capacity. South Dakota and Michigan have seen the largest upticks in construction activity. Over the year so far, 20 new projects have been installed in nine states, with eight projects in the third quarter.

Source: Daily Energy Insider