That innovation sparked a revolution in wind energy, and today wind is the fastest- growing energy source in the world. During the last decade, wind grew 22 percent annually, while solar grew approximately 16 percent, and oil approximately one percent. The Dutch now produce over half of all the wind turbines in the world, and 10 percent of their national energy supply comes from wind turbines. Across Europe and around the world, wind is catching on. In the United States, over one billion dollars-worth of new equipment was installed at new farms in ten states last year.
New production is met enthusiastically.
Colorado's first wind farm, for example, announced that it sold out of its supply of clean energy. The Clinton administration has even announced a new program to produce five percent of the nation's power from wind by 2020, with 5000 megawatts expected by 2005. Had Don Quixote seen these on the horizon, we can reckon his reaction would have been the same. He would have lowered his lance, commended his soul to the fair Dulcinea, and spurred Rocinante into battle. The windmills would still triumph.