In this issue: Wind installations slow in 2010; bounce back expected in 2011; RENEWABLE ENERGY FOCUS - Solar power projects face potential hurdles; NRG buys into Ivanpah solar plant; Columnist examines the durability problem in solar; Geothermal jobs report predicts big year in 2011; FERC decision boosts renewables; $33M in federal energy funds to move forward in California; NOTABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS AND DEALS - California fruit growers switch to solar power; Pattern Energy completes 101 MW wind farm in California; U.S. government approves 1,000 MW solar-thermal plant; and Energy Commission approves 663.5 MW solar power plant.
Wind installations slow in 2010; bounce back expected in 2011 The global wind industry will see a flat year in 2010, as measured in new megawatts capacity installed, compared to 2009, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The clean energy research firm said that onshore and offshore wind installations in 2010 are expected to total 37.7 GW, down 2% from 2009, but are set to bounce back to 45 GW in 2011. Bloomberg New Energy Finance expects the sector to continue to grow in the years that follow, with an average of 48 GW to be added in years 2012-13. China once again will be the global leader and will install 25% more new capacity than in 2009, when the country set a record with 14,000 new megawatts. China’s growth in wind energy contrasts with a considerably poorer picture in the U.S., where the report forecasts installations to fall 39% in 2010 compared to 2009.
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