Solar PV, wind and biofuel markets expand

PORTLAND, ORE. & OAKLAND, CALIF. — Following one of the worst years in economic history, signs of hope have begun to emerge for the clean-tech sector, with clean energy becoming a driving force for global economic recovery from Beijing to Seoul, and Washington D.C. to Brussels.

In 2009, combined global revenue for the three major clean-energy sectors — solar photovoltaics (PV), wind power and biofuels — grew by 11.4 percent over 2008, reaching $139.1 billion. These three sectors are expected to reach $325.9 billion by 2019, according to the Clean Energy Trends 2010 report recently issued by Clean Edge Inc.

“Despite severe economic conditions, clean-energy markets were able to hold their momentum in 2009 as many regional and federal governments and private corporations focused on clean-energy investments as a way to pull out of the global economic tailspin,” said Ron Pernick, Clean Edge co-founder and managing director. “From the smart grid and energy efficiency to renewable energy generation and advanced battery storage, clean tech continues to be a major driver of regional job growth, economic recovery, and technological competitiveness.”

As always, the Clean Energy Trends report includes growth projections for the major clean-energy sectors, as well as global clean-tech investment and jobs data. The report’s key findings include:
• The global production and wholesale pricing of ethanol and biodiesel reached $44.9 billion in 2009 and is projected to grow to $112.5 billion by 2019. In 2009, the biofuel market consisted of more than 23.6 billion gallons of ethanol and biodiesel production worldwide.

• Wind power (new installation capital costs) is projected to expand from $63.5 billion in 2009 to $114.5 billion in 2019. Last year’s global wind power installations reached a record 37,500 MW. China, the first-time global leader in new installations, accounted for more than a third of new installations, with 13,000 MW.

• Solar PV will grow from a $30.7 billion industry in 2009 to $98.9 billion by 2019. New installations reached almost 6 GW worldwide in 2009, a nearly sixfold increase from five years earlier. But because of rapidly declining solar PV prices, industry revenue in 2009 fell about 20 percent, from $38.5 billion in 2008.

• U.S.-based venture capital investments in energy technologies declined from $3.2 billion in 2008 to $2.2 billion in 2009. However, clean energy’s percentage of total U.S. venture capital investments continued to rise, accounting for 12.5 percent of total activity in 2009. This represented the largest share in the history of the clean-energy asset class.

• The global solar PV and wind power industries together currently account for a total of more than 830,000 jobs worldwide. By 2019, global industry growth will push the total to more than 3.3 million jobs.

The report also examines many of the issues shaping the clean-energy marketplace, including the failure of nations to reach a global climate accord in Copenhagen; China’s seemingly unstoppable rise to global clean-tech dominance; and the growing ubiquity and declining cost of clean-energy technologies.

An IPO Watch List tracks clean-technology companies that have recently filed for IPOs, as well as other likely candidates. The report also outlines five key trends that will impact the markets in the coming years:
• Carbon as a Feedstock: Win-Win or Pipe Dream?
• Steep PV Price Drops Redefine the Solar Industry
• Biomass Fires up Utilities and District Heating
• Clean-Tech Megaprojects See Big Advances – and Big Challenges
• High Speed Rail Surges Ahead – But at What Cost?
• About Clean Energy Trends 2010

Clean Edge issues its annual Clean Energy Trends report to track key developments in clean-energy markets. For more information about Clean Edge Inc., or to download the report, please visit www.cleanedge.com.