Green Power: Wind and Solar Energy Grow 30 to 40 Percent in 2010, Report Shows

I'm very encouraged by the news reports that show an acceptance of, and growth in, the renewable energy sources. Just as PCs powered the economic boom of the 80's, and the dot-coms fueled growth in the 90's, I expect that the thing that will bring us out of the current recession is a strong investment in sustainable energy like wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and bio-fuels. If they help the country achieve energy independence (and they can), then maybe we can have fewer wars as well.

From Mother Earth News

Wind and solar energy averaged 30 and 40 percent growth, respectively, last year, according to a Clean Edge report Clean Energy Trends 2011, released today. The 10th annual report from Clean Edge tracks the growth of renewable energy markets and looks at trends that will shape investment in wind, solar and biofuels for the coming years.
The findings show steady growth over the past decade for wind, solar and biofuels, with combined global revenue growing 35.2 percent in 2010, up to $188.1 billion from $139.1 billion in 2009. “When Clean Edge released its growth projections for solar and wind power 10 years ago, many observers, to put it kindly, thought we were being optimistic,” the report states. “We projected that solar power would grow from a global market of $2.5 billion in 2000 to $23.5 billion by 2010 and that wind power would grow from a global market of $4 billion in 2000 to $43.5 billion by 2010. But [...] we were actually quite conservative in our estimates, coming up around 300 percent short in our solar PV estimates and approximately 50 percent short in our wind estimates.”
The global market for solar photovoltaics (PV) has expanded from $2.5 billion in 2000 to $71.2 billion in 2010, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39.8 percent. The global market for wind power has similarly expanded from a global market worth $4.5 billion in 2000 to more than $60.5 billion today, for a CAGR of 29.7 percent. Biofuels (global production and wholesale pricing of ethanol and biodiesel) reached $56.4 billion in 2010 and are projected to grow to $112.8 billion by 2020. In 2010, the biofuels market consisted of more than 27.2 billion gallons of ethanol and biodiesel production worldwide, up from 23.6 billion gallons in the prior year.
Clean Edge predicts that the three technologies, which totaled $139.1 billion in 2009 and grew 35.2 percent to $188.1 billion in 2010, will grow to $349.2 billion in the next decade.
Wind energy

Green Power

What is the "Green Economy" that you hear many people talking about?

Green is a word used to refer to renewable energy and sustainable practices such as reduce-reuse-recycle. The great planet on which we live has a limited supply of resources, and our surging population is pushing the boundaries of what can be sustained.

In addition to water, food, and minerals, energy is a resource that's in short supply. For too long, we've relied on fossil fuels (e.g. oil, coal, and natural gas) for our energy needs. Not only has the combustion of those resulted in climate change (or global warming), but our consumption is starting to exceed supply, and we need to migrate to renewable sources of energy and power, such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, tidal, and bio-fuels.

The sun is a constant, ample source of energy. Advances in photovoltaic panel efficiency make it possible for the sun to provide all of our energy needs. Depending on where you live, you can use solar panels or solar water heaters to reduce your gas and electric consumption.

Tax credits from the government and lower costs due to economies of scale are making solar power and other green energy supplies like wind and geothermal affordable alternatives to homeowners seeking to lower their carbon footprint and save money powering their homes.

1 comment:

AnonymousMarch 15, 2011 at 2:23 AM
And the great thing about solar power system is that you can start small if you want and grow your solar power system as you feel the need. You probably want to get the basics of how solar works before you go all out, but when you start seeing the savings on your power bill you may reconsider and start adding on to your solar project.

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Wind and Solar Energy Grow 30 to 40 Percent in 2010, Report Shows

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