Clean energy companies thrive
By Melanie Turner, Sacramento Business Journal
Clean-energy markets continued to expand last year, even with a tough economic and political climate, increased industry consolidation and downward pricing pressures on manufacturers, according to a new report.
Combined global revenue for solar, wind and biofuels rose 31 percent over the prior year, growing to $246 billion in 2011 from $188 billion in 2010, according to the Clean Energy Trends 2012 report released by clean-tech research and advisory firm Clean Edge Inc.
Double-digit growth rates for both wind and solar globally drove much of the expansion.
Still, the report says it’s less likely 2011 will be remembered for the industry’s robust growth and more likely it will be remembered for the Solyndra bankruptcy. Solar, wind and biofuels all reached new market records in 2011.