Solar, wind and biofuels see record deployment in 2012 – report

12 Mar 2013

The year 2012 has been a record year for global solar, wind and biofuels deployment, the Clean Energy Trends 2013 report reveals, while fundamental global market drivers for clean technology remained intact for the most part, despite it having been a bumpy year for clean energy.

The report, issued today by clean-tech research and advisory firm Clean Edge, Inc, found that lower prices for many clean-tech goods and services, combined with a renewed focus on scalable projects, resulted in record annual solar, wind, and biofuels deployment.

Declining solar PV prices, however, has affected combined global revenue for solar PV, wind power and biofuels. Combined global revenue for the three areas expanded just 1pc, from US$246.1bn in 2011 to US$248.7bn in 2012.

“(The year) 2012 was a year of extreme uncertainty for clean-energy markets, as venture investors pulled back and high-profile bankruptcies became a partisan wedge in the presidential election, all while climate disruptions brought clean tech back into the limelight,” said Ron Pernick, Clean Edge co-founder and managing director.

“But a key lesson emerged from last year – the focus for investors and industry for the near- to mid-term will be on deployment,” Pernick added.

Tina Costanza was a journalist and sub-editor at Silicon Republic

editorial@siliconrepublic.com