General Electric was by far the largest supplier of wind turbines to the U.S. market in the third quarter, doubling the market share of number two rival Siemens.
Vestas Wind Systems, the number one supplier worldwide, had a miniscule 1 percent of the market, according to the American Wind Energy Association.
Sales in the U.S. market were strong. They topped those in the second quarter of 2009 and in the third quarter a year ago, with more than 1,600 MW of capacity was added.
Demand in the quarter was sparked by the government stimulus bill. The decision to let power companies trade future production tax credits for current investment tax credits, enacted in the quarter, had an immediate impact. Solar investments were helped as well.
However, the fourth quarter won’t be as solid. Only 5,000 MW of construction is underway compared with 8,000 MW at this time last year.
GE was the top supplier with 39.6 percent of the U.S. market. Siemens had 20 percent. In third place was Mitsubishi with 12 percent.
Texas added the most capacity followed by Oregon and Illinois. Arizona and Pennsylvania are growing their capacity most rapidly.
Source: weSRCH.com
