More than 20,000 MW of new wind generating capacity was added world-wide in 2007
Global Wind Energy Council Confirms Over 20,000 MW of Wind Power Was Installed in 2007Global Wind Energy Council Confirms Over 20,000 MW of Wind Power Was Installed in 2007
Brussels, Belgium -- The Global Wind Energy Council confirmed Feb. 6 its earlier estimate that over 20,000 MW of wind power was installed in 2007, led by the US, China and Spain, bringing world-wide installed capacity to 94,112 MW.
This is an increase of 31% compared with the 2006 market, and represents an overall increase in global installed capacity of about 27%.
"The growth rates we are experiencing in wind energy continue to exceed our most optimistic expectations," said GWEC Secretary General Steve Sawyer.
Globally, wind energy has become a mainstream energy source and an important player in the world’s energy markets, and it now contributes to the energy mix in more than 70 countries across the globe.
The US reported a record 5,244 MW installed in 2007, more than double the 2006 figure, accounting for about 30% of the country’s new power-producing capacity in 2007.
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Global additions of new PV capacity were 2300+ MW(p)
Global Solar Photovoltaic market estimated 2.3 GWp in 2007 The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) reported that the photovoltaic world market (all types of PV systems, i.e. big power plants, private net connected systems and off grid PV) in 2007 grew by over 40 %, with approximately 2.3 gigawatt (GW) of newly installed capacity. Four countries mainly contributed to the global photovoltaic market growth: established countries such as Germany, Japan and the US; but also Spain, which made a large contribution by tripling its annual installations. Germany remains clearly in first position with a 50 % global market share.
Japan’s market is estimated to have stagnated 2007, while Spain’s market approached 300 MW. The US may have registered a 260 MW market by the end of 2007. Other new European markets have confirmed the effectiveness of their feed-in tariff schemes: Italy registered about 50 MW of installed capacity, while France is following with an estimated 40 MW. South Korea is also becoming a significant market player with 50 MW of newly installed systems in 2007.
Due to first data collected by the German Solar Industry Federation (BSW-Solar) PV systems with a nominal capacity of approximate 1.100 MW have been installed in Germany 2007 - as many as never before. The total installed capacity due to BSW-Solar reached roughly 3,8 gigawatt and the solar electricity produced by this systems is sufficient to supply the households of a metropolis like Hamburg. After additional installations of 850 MWp in 2005 as well as in 2006 last year for the first time 1.1 GW were connected to the German grid, BSW-Solar emphasizes.
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European additions of solar thermal capacity for hot water were ~2100 MWt in 2006 and China is installed more than 20 million square meters of new solar hot water capacity in 2006...new additions will be more in 2007 (when the final figures come in). This doesn't include new global additions of solar thermal electric or geothermal capacity.
www.estif.org/fileadmin/downloads/ press/ESTIF_pr_070619_Markets.doc
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5497In contrast, new global nuclear additions were only 1857 MW in 2007...
http://www.iaea.org/programmes/a2/Now.
Accounting for capacity factors (a conservative 25% for wind and solar and a generous 90% for nuclear)...
...new additions of wind and solar in 2007 were
5588 MW ...new additions of nuclear in 2007 were
1671 MWNew solar and wind capacity installed in 2007 will produce more than three times as much electrical *energy* as new nuclear capacity installed in 2007.
Renewable energy kicked nuclear's ass...again...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=115&topic_id=88105Let the whining begin...
:popcorn: