According to the latest report Renewables 2013 Global Status Report 2013 from the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) total global renewable power capacity reached 1,470 GW (480 GW non-hydro) in 2012, about 26% of total worldwide generating capacity. For comparison the entire generating capacity of the United States is about 1,000 GW.  In 2012 about half of new generating capacity added was renewables.  In 2012 renewables, mostly hydro, provided 21.7% of the world’s electricity.

The EU had the most non-hydro renewable capacity by the end of 2012.  Renewables, mostly solar PV and wind, accounted for almost 70% new electricty generation capacity in Europe in 2012.  In 2011 (the latest year for which data are available), renewables were responsible for 20.6% of Europe’s electricity consumption.  In Germany, renewables accounted for 22.9% of electricity consumption. In Denmark 30% of electric power consumption was generated by wind.

In the United States half of new generating capacity added during 2012 was renewables, mostly wind.  New wind capacity exceeded new natural gas capacity in 2012.

The BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) represent 36% of total global renewable power capacity and almost 27% of non-hydro renewable capacity in 2012.

Investment in renewables in 2012

In 2012 global new investment in renewable power and fuels was US$ 244 billion, down 12% from the previous year’s record and 8% above the 2010 level.  This is the third consecutive year that investment in renewables exceeded that in fossil fuels.  Solar power was the leading sector by far in investment in 2012, receiving 57% of total new investment in renewable energy (96% of which went to solar photovoltaic).  The decline in investment in 2012 is ascribed to uncertainty over support policies in Europe and
the United States, retroactive reductions in support. and from sharp reductions in technology costs.

Solar PV in 2012

Total global solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity reached 100 GW in 2012.  The leaders in 2012 investment were Germany, Italy, China, the United States, and Japan.  The leaders for solar PV per capita were Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Greece, and Australia.

The cost of solar PV systems continue to fall.  The average price of crystalline silicon solar modules fell by 30% in 2012, while thin film prices dropped about 20%.

From 2Q 2008 to 2Q 2012, the cost per watt of German residential system costs dropped from US$ 7.00/W to US$ 2.20/W.  In the United States average prices for residential systems fell to US$ 5.50/W.