How are wind areas classified?
A. Wind power is characterized by a simple system that assigns the wind potential to one of seven wind classes. The wind potential in Class 1 or 2 areas are low and not suitable for utility-scale wind energy systems. Class 3 and 4 are fair to good; and Class 5 and higher are excellent for utility-scale wind energy systems. Most of New Jersey is a Class 1 or Class 2 wind area. There are some Class 3 wind areas along the New Jersey coast and in the northwestern mountain ridges. There are Class 4, and higher wind areas off shore.