Wind Energy Guide
The United States is one of the world’s largest producers of wind energy, but recent shifts in energy policy could impact domestic output. Below are a variety of wind energy resources for developers and consumers.
Wind Energy Basics
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
Learn the basics about wind energy—what it is, how it works, and the different types of wind turbines. Dig deeper into the rich history of leveraging wind energy.
Pros & Cons of Wind Energy
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
Compare the advantages and challenges that are associated with wind power. As with any energy source, wind energy has its share of tradeoffs to consider.
Wind Energy on Public Lands
Source: Bureau of Land Management
About 5% of the United States’ utility-scale wind energy capacity is generated from sites located on publicly owned lands. Learn about the West-wide Wind Mapping Project, too.
U.S. Electricity by Source
Wind energy represented over 10% of utility-scale electricity generated in the United States in 2023, making it America’s largest renewable energy source.
Wind Energy: 2025 & Beyond
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior
In 2025, U.S. Department of the Interior announced policy changes that could dramatically reshape wind energy projects in the United States.
USWTDB
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Explore the United States Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB), which shares locations for onshore and offshore wind turbines. Map services and data are available from U.S. Wind Turbine Database, provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, American Clean Power Association, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory via https://energy.usgs.gov/uswtdb.