Kansas wind resources rank third in the nation. Over the next five years, more than $1 billion in transmission lines will be invested in the state.
By the end of 2009, Kansas will have more than 1,000 megawatts (MW) of installed wind capacity. Currently, the state ranks 11th in wind production. (To keep up to date on current wind projects in Kansas, see AWEA’s projects page.)
The President and the Department of Energy have set a goal for wind to provide 20% of the nation’s power by 2030. Kansas’s share of that goal is 7,000 MW.
How much wind do you have? There is no substitute for putting up an anemometer at the hub height of the turbine(s) you plan to install, and taking regular readings at your actual site.
To get a more general idea of your average local wind speeds, visit AWS TrueWind Navigator and put in your zip code. (Note: Their data is mostly based on hub heights for utility scale turbines.)
Also check the maps below:
Kansas Wind Maps (new Sept. 2008)
Areas to avoid. Smart wind developers also avoid wildlife and heritage areas, buffer zones, etc. Check with local, state, and federal maps to make sure you are avoiding protected habitats, bird migration corridors, etc.
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