Explaining the decline of US wind output power density

US wind power generation has grown significantly over the last decades, in line with number and average size of operating turbines. However, density declined, both measured terms output per rotor swept area as well spacing area. To study this effect, we present a decomposition data for period 2001--2021 examine how changes input system efficiency affected density. Here, refers to amount available turbines, share flowing through areas which is converted electricity generated We show that, while turbines increased 2001--2021, decreased. In total, caused decline 10 years, explaining higher land-use requirements. The decrease linked specific power, i.e. ratio between nameplate capacity turbine its Furthermore, that substantially due increases hub height since 2001. site quality slightly decreased period.