State renewable energy standards, driven by environmental and economic factors, have created a larger market for wind energy in the U.S. Federal and local incentives, combined with improved efficiencies and reduced costs, have supported the industry development needed to meet this demand. MDM spoke with wind association leaders, distributors and manufacturers to learn more about what’s driving wind energy development in the U.S. – and what’s holding it back.

This article is the third in a series examining the current state of the alternative energy market in the U.S.

In 2012, the U.S. regained the No. 1 rank for installed wind energy capacity among global wind markets for the first time since 2009, according to the Global Wind Energy Council’s Annual Market Update.