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Mean wind speed, monthly profiles, and energy potential at 43.10°N, 79.04°W
Average wind speed at 100m hub height for each month of the year.
Niagara Falls experiences peak winds during February (7.6 m/s) with lowest speeds in August (4.95 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 1.54, 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 | 3.5 | Standard measurement height |
| 50m | 5.18 | Small/distributed turbines |
| 80m | 5.81 | Mid-size turbines |
| 100m | 6.13 | Modern utility-scale turbines |
New York ranks #18 nationally for wind energy capacity, making it a significant contributor to US wind energy production. The state's ridgelines and Great Lakes shores define its wind resource characteristics across different regions and elevations.
New York has approximately 1.9 GW of installed wind capacity, with additional projects in various stages of development. The state continues to attract wind energy investment due to its favorable resource conditions and supportive policy environment.
Wind resources in New York are concentrated along ridgelines and coastal areas. The Northeastern United States is increasingly focused on offshore wind development, but onshore sites continue to play an important role in the region's renewable energy portfolio.
The mean wind speed in Niagara Falls, New York is 6.13 m/s at 100m hub height, 5.81 m/s at 80m, and 3.5 m/s at 10m. Wind power density at this location is 141.3 W/m², classified as IEC Wind Class IV.
Niagara Falls has a wind quality rating of "Moderate" based on its mean wind speed of 6.13 m/s at hub height. This location may be suitable for wind energy development with modern large-rotor turbines. Peak winds occur in February (7.6 m/s) with lowest speeds in August (4.95 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 Niagara Falls, 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.