Highlights:
Renewables accounted for almost half of the estimated 208 GW of new electric capacity installed globally in 2011.
In the European Union, renewables accounted for more than 71% of total electric capacity additions in 2011, bringing renewable energy’s share of total electric capacity to 31.1%. Solar PV alone represented almost 47% of new capacity that came into operation. For the first time ever, in 2011 solar PV accounted for more new electric generating capacity in the European Union than did any other technology.
Since 2007, wind power has represented 35% of the US’s new electric generating capacity, more than twice the share of coal and nuclear power combined.
China ended 2011 with more renewable power capacity than any other nation.
Renewables comprised more than 25% of total global power-generating capacity (estimated at 5,360 GW in 2011), and supplied an estimated 20.3% of global electricity.
Renewable energy sources have grown to supply an estimated 16.7% of global final energy consumption.
Solar PV capacity in operation at the end of 2011 was about 10 times the global total just five years earlier, and the average annual growth rate exceeded 58% for the period from the end of 2006 through 2011.
The trend towards ever-larger wind turbines has resumed, with the average turbine size delivered to market in 2011 being 1.7 MW; the average size installed offshore was up about 20% over 2010 to 3.6 MW. Most manufacturers are developing machines in the 4.5–7.5 MW range, with 7.5 MW being the largest size that is commercially available.
Global investment in renewable power and fuels increased 17% to a new record of $257 billion in 2011. Solar spectacularly passed wind power, and U.S. investment surged in advance of expiring support policies.
By the end of 2011, PV modules were selling for between USD 1 and 1.20 per watt, which is about 76% below the average price in the summer of 2008.
Renewable power capacity(includes hydro):
2006 - 1,020 GW
2007 - 1,070 GW
2008 - 1,150 GW
2009 - 1,170 GW
2010 - 1,260 GW
2011 - 1,360 GW
Renewable power capacity (total, not including hydro)
2008 200 GW
2009 255 GW
2010 315 GW
2011 390 GW
Wind Capacity:
2006 - 74 GW
2007 - 94 GW
2008 - 121 GW
2009 - 159 GW
2010 - 198 GW
2011 - 238 GW
Solar PV capacity:
2006 - 5 GW
2007 - 8 GW
2008 - 13 GW
2009 - 23 GW
2010 - 40 GW
2011 - 70 GW
Annual investment in new renewable capacity:
2005 - $ 61 billion
2006 - $ 97 billion
2007 - $133 billion
2008 - $167 billion
2009 - $161 billion
2010 - $220 billion
2011 - $257 billion
Solar PV new annual production:
2006 - 2.5 GW
2007 - 3.7 GW
2008 - 6.9 GW
2009 - 7.1 GW
2010 - 15.6 GW
2011 - 30 GW
Renewables Global Status Report
The oil barrel is half-full.