Wind Resource Maps - USA, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands

There is a variety of maps available that provide large-scale data on the average winds speeds for different states. The second table below takes you to the links for all these maps. You'll find that some of the maps are less detailed than others. For the wind maps which show only what are called “wind power classes”, use the first table to determine the corresponding range of winds speeds those classes represent.

PLEASE NOTE that wind maps of this scale almost never show data below a height of 30 meters (about 97 feet) above the ground. Given the many possible obstructions (trees, buildings, landforms, etc.), it would be almost impossible to gather accurate information for mapping below that height. Turbulence is the chief enemy of wind power generation, so it is essential to place any substantial wind turbine above local obstructions, by at least 30 feet. Higher is almost always better. Also note that average windspeeds below about 10 or 11 MPH are not generally suitable for cost-effective energy production.

Wind Classes for US-DOE Wind Maps

Links to Wind Maps and Small Wind Consumer Guides for U.S. States

To view wind maps for ALL STATES EXCEPT those listed in the table below, click here to link to the EERE web page for the U.S. On that page, click on the state you’re interested in seeing. For the states and territories below, the EERE does not presently offer the same high-quality mapping as for the rest of the states; instead, these links will present low-detail, wide-area state maps showing wind classes for each state. Check back at EERE often for updates as new data is made available.

U.S. DOE Small Wind Consumer’s Guide

The EERE and most States also offer Small Wind Consumer Guides, which present further information related to small-scale, consumer-level energy production. These files are PDF documents, available by clicking your chosen State on the U.S. map here. A general, nationwide consumer’s guide can be found in English here and in Spanish here.