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Mean wind speed, monthly profiles, and energy potential at 38.94°N, 74.91°W
Average wind speed at 100m hub height for each month of the year.
Cape May experiences peak winds during February (9.69 m/s) with lowest speeds in August (6.24 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 1.55, 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 | 6.32 | Standard measurement height |
| 50m | 7.59 | Small/distributed turbines |
| 80m | 8.01 | Mid-size turbines |
| 100m | 8.21 | Modern utility-scale turbines |
New Jersey ranks #35 nationally for wind energy capacity, making it a growing participant in the US wind energy market. The state's coastal plain and highlands define its wind resource characteristics across different regions and elevations.
New Jersey has a small but growing wind energy sector with approximately 0.01 GW installed. As turbine technology advances and development costs decrease, additional sites across the state are becoming economically viable.
New Jersey sits at the intersection of multiple climate zones, with wind resources varying significantly by elevation and proximity to the coast. Ridge-top and coastal sites offer the strongest wind potential in the region.
The mean wind speed in Cape May, New Jersey is 8.21 m/s at 100m hub height, 8.01 m/s at 80m, and 6.32 m/s at 10m. Wind power density at this location is 339.2 W/m², classified as IEC Wind Class III.
Cape May has a wind quality rating of "Good" based on its mean wind speed of 8.21 m/s at hub height. This location is well-suited for utility-scale wind energy development. Peak winds occur in February (9.69 m/s) with lowest speeds in August (6.24 m/s).
IEC Class III turbines with larger rotors are recommended to maximize energy capture at this moderate wind site. Turbines like the Vestas V150-4.2 or GE Cypress 5.3-158 use longer blades to sweep more area, compensating for lower wind speeds.
Based on the mean wind speed near Cape May, a modern 3 MW turbine could produce approximately 9.5 GWh per year (capacity factor ~36%). That is enough to power roughly 901 average American homes. A 100 MW wind farm at this location could generate approximately 312 GWh annually, worth $10927.5M at $35/MWh wholesale electricity prices.
Explore wind data for nearby cities, sorted by wind quality.