Renewable energy investments hit record high in 2015
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.029690
New Scientist : Last year $286 billion was invested in renewables, according to a study by the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. That was 3% more than the previous record, set in 2011. The reason is twofold: cheaper solar panels and wind turbines, combined with greater investment by developing countries. China, the world’s leading renewables investor, spent $102.9 billion to build some of the world’s largest solar and wind farms. The International Energy Agency credits the growth in renewables with the leveling off of global carbon dioxide emissions. Despite their record growth, however, clean technologies still provide just 10% of total generated electricity because of their inherent intermittency and the fact that most electricity-generating plants are still powered by fossil fuels.
