There are signs that there’s healthy demand on the part of retail and professional private sector investors, particularly in Japan, in helping finance the transition to clean, renewable energy. Through Nomura International, the Asian Development Bank last week sold a second, $339 issue of Clean Energy bonds in various foreign currencies to Japanese retail investors.
Europe’s led worldwide growth in solar PV but a confluence of factors threatens ongoing progress. Solar PV potential is tremendous in the US and emerging markets around the world, and the right policy mix can assure grid parity for solar PV, according to the European Photovoltaics Industry Association’s market analysis and forecast.
Grid-connected solar power systems installations reached a record high in the US in 2011, more than doubling in capacity and jumping nearly 40% in number, with utilities playing a greater role in growing adoption. Utilities in just eight states made up SEPA’s entire Top 10 for last year, indicative of the growth potential that still remains.
Europe’s renewable energy drive is opening up substantial new opportunities for innovative US companies such as Chicago-based smart grid systems provider S&C Electric, which is doubling the size of its factory in Milwaukee as a result of its growing European and overseas business portfolio.
