According to the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) solar generation is the green technology that attracted the highest global investment in 2011, with a total amount a record $257 billion.
This number reflects a 17% rise in investment dollars over 2010 – 94% higher than 2007.
The United States ranks high, with a 57% leap to a $51 billion investment, as developers made good use of significant incentive programs. China, the world leader for the past two years, saw its lead over the U.S. shrink to just $1 billion in 2011, as the U.S. recorded a renewable energy investment of $52 billion, up 17%.
“This is good news for the environmental community,” said Kelly Carnes, President and CEO of TechVision21. “although we believe in letting a thousand flowers bloom. No one green tech development will solve all of America’s energy needs. Most Americans now understand energy independence is a security issue as well as an economic and environmental one.”
In 2011, renewable energy technologies continued to find new markets: nearly 50 countries installed wind power capacity, and solar PV capacity moved rapidly into new regions and countries. Solar hot water collectors are being designed into commercial buildings and used by more than 200 million households.
The UNEP report, Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2012 is the fifth edition of the UNEP report, based on data from Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
Full article: http://www.unep.org/newscentre.