US Beats Out Germany as World's #1 Wind Producer

In 2008, the United States passed Germany to become the #1 wind producer in the world . The American Wind Energy Association says that the U.S. has reached 21,000-megawatt installed capacity, doubling installed power generating capacity since 2006. However, Germany has overtaken the United States as the most promising market for investment in renewable energy, says the audit firm Ernest & Young in a new report. Germany's success comes from effective use of its feed-in tariff system which allows consumers to sell electricity produced from solar panels or wind turbines installed at their homes to power companies at a price higher than market price.