A modern windmill requires 9,000 components, and many of these can be manufactured in the Greater Pittsburgh region, by firms such as PPG. Renowned for its manufacturing heritage, the region is home to 3,000 advanced manufacturing firms with an existing talent pool of 95,000 technically skilled advanced manufacturing employees.

Major wind firms including Gamesa, GE Wind and Iberdrola in Pennsylvania create supply chain opportunities for manufacturers in the region, such as PPG, who find that they can serve the needs of diverse industries, including wind energy. Renewable energy production is increasing, boosted by a requirement that 18% of retail electricity must come from alternative sources by 2020, positioning the Pittsburgh region to be a significant leader in the wind energy sector.

Alcoa, Bayer, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh are collaborating on nanomaterials research to make wind installations more efficient and cost-effective.