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Mean wind speed, monthly profiles, and energy potential at 42.04°N, 88.28°W
Average wind speed at 100m hub height for each month of the year.
Elgin experiences peak winds during February (7.14 m/s) with lowest speeds in July (4.92 m/s). The seasonal pattern shows strong winter and spring winds with calmer summer conditions.
The ratio between peak and minimum monthly wind speed is 1.45, indicating significant seasonal variation. Energy production will be notably higher during windy months, which should be factored into PPA pricing and revenue projections.
Wind speed increases with height due to reduced surface friction. Modern turbines typically operate at 80-120m hub height.
| Height | Wind Speed (m/s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10m | 3.6 | Standard measurement height |
| 50m | 5.26 | Small/distributed turbines |
| 80m | 5.88 | Mid-size turbines |
| 100m | 6.19 | Modern utility-scale turbines |
Illinois ranks #5 nationally for wind energy capacity, making it one of the top 10 wind energy states in the country. The state's flat farmland and gentle ridges define its wind resource characteristics across different regions and elevations.
With approximately 7 GW of installed wind capacity, Illinois is a major wind energy producer. The state's wind farms generate billions of kilowatt-hours annually, supporting thousands of jobs in construction, operations, and maintenance.
Illinois's position in the Midwest provides consistent wind exposure, particularly during winter and spring when large-scale weather systems drive strong surface winds. The relatively flat agricultural landscape reduces turbulence and creates favorable conditions for wind energy harvesting.
The mean wind speed in Elgin, Illinois is 6.19 m/s at 100m hub height, 5.88 m/s at 80m, and 3.6 m/s at 10m. Wind power density at this location is 145.5 W/m², classified as IEC Wind Class IV.
Elgin has a wind quality rating of "Moderate" based on its mean wind speed of 6.19 m/s at hub height. This location may be suitable for wind energy development with modern large-rotor turbines. Peak winds occur in February (7.14 m/s) with lowest speeds in July (4.92 m/s).
Small or distributed wind turbines may be most appropriate for this site. Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) or small horizontal axis turbines designed for low-wind environments should be evaluated for site-specific conditions.
Based on the mean wind speed near Elgin, a modern 3 MW turbine could produce approximately 6.3 GWh per year (capacity factor ~24%). That is enough to power roughly 601 average American homes. A 100 MW wind farm at this location could generate approximately 208 GWh annually, worth $7284.6M at $35/MWh wholesale electricity prices.
Explore wind data for nearby cities, sorted by wind quality.