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Mean wind speed, monthly profiles, and energy potential at 35.23°N, 80.84°W
Average wind speed at 100m hub height for each month of the year.
Charlotte experiences peak winds during March (6.03 m/s) with lowest speeds in August (3.83 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 1.57, 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 | 2.95 | Standard measurement height |
| 50m | 4.33 | Small/distributed turbines |
| 80m | 4.84 | Mid-size turbines |
| 100m | 5.1 | Modern utility-scale turbines |
North Carolina ranks #40 nationally for wind energy capacity, making it an emerging market for wind energy development. The state's varied terrain define its wind resource characteristics across different regions and elevations.
While North Carolina currently has limited utility-scale wind development, advances in turbine technology — particularly taller towers and larger rotors — are opening new possibilities. Distributed wind and community-scale projects may offer the most immediate opportunities.
North Carolina'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 Charlotte, North Carolina is 5.1 m/s at 100m hub height, 4.84 m/s at 80m, and 2.95 m/s at 10m. Wind power density at this location is 81.3 W/m², classified as IEC Wind Class IV.
Charlotte has a wind quality rating of "Low" based on its mean wind speed of 5.1 m/s at hub height. This location has limited wind resources for large-scale development, but distributed or small-scale wind may be viable. Peak winds occur in March (6.03 m/s) with lowest speeds in August (3.83 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 Charlotte, a modern 3 MW turbine could produce approximately 4.7 GWh per year (capacity factor ~18%). That is enough to power roughly 450 average American homes. A 100 MW wind farm at this location could generate approximately 156 GWh annually, worth $5463.2M at $35/MWh wholesale electricity prices.
Explore wind data for nearby cities, sorted by wind quality.