Advantages Wind is a renewable energy resource. Wind patterns in Hawaii provide strong, steady trade winds in specific areas throughout most of the year. Use of wind power as a source of electricity will help reduce the state's almost complete dependence on imported fossil fuels. Wind power can be used with battery storage or pumped hydro-energy storage systems to provide a steady flow of energy. Wind farms can be combined with agricultural activities such as cattle grazing.
Wind power is a proven technology and has been used to generate electricity for many years.
Equipment for wind machines is commercially available. The State of Hawaii offers a 20 percent tax credit for the cost of buying and installing a wind energy device. Disadvantages Wind machines must be located where strong, dependable winds are available most of the time. Therefore, electricity from wind machines must have a back-up supply from another source. Wind towers and turbine blades are subject to damage from high winds and lighting.