In 2008 investors pumped $155 billion into clean energy companies and projects worldwide--not including large hydro--according to a United Nations report released last week.
Extremely difficult financial market conditions prevailed during 2008 as a result of the global economic crisis. Nevertheless investment in clean energy topped 2007's record investments by 5% in large part as a result of China, Brazil and other emerging economies.
Of the $155 billion, $105 billion was spent directly developing 40 gigawatts (GW) of power generating capacity from wind, solar, small-hydro, biomass and geothermal sources.
A further $35....