US$211 billion was invested into renewable energy last year, up a third from 2009, according to a new United Nations report, Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2011. Developing economies spent more that developed ones, a big shift and a sign that they are not ready to repeat the same mistakes developed countries made by relying too heavily on dirty energy.
All told, China led the way with $48.9 billion invested in clean energy. Other areas leading the way include:
-South and Central America: up 39% to $13.1 billion;
-Middle East and Africa: up 104% to $5 billion;
-India: up 25% to $3.8 billion, and
-Asian developing countries excluding China and India: up 31% to $4 billion.
the trend of increased investment in renewable energy will continue as prices for clean energy drop. For example, since 2009, wind turbine prices have fallen 18% per megawatt.
– from treehugger.com