Sales in this sector reached over $35 billion globally in 2005, an impressive growth from 2004.

When one looks at financing and investment in renewable energy, certain key trends emerge:

• Global investment is growing, but the emerging markets are exerting the real influence

• Interest is growing as the technology matures and proves its merit, reducing risk

• Private investors are showing more interest due to government policies and political influences

• Investment banking firms are showing interest, further legitimizing the technology.

• The bond market is beginning to invest in renewables.

• Venture capital favors clean energy.

• Renewable energy company evaluations have increased substantially.

• Market growth appears to have stabilized

While many investors are still concentrating on the markets they are familiar with (North America and Europe), Asia is a new and massive target market.  As one industry analyst has said: “the emerging markets won’t be emerging any more, they’ll be core markets”.  India has already surpassed the United Kingdom in Ernst & Young’s Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Indices.

The true turning point for renewable resource producers was 2005-2006, when a number of countries adopted aggressive targets and policies for biofuels.

In 2005 there were 60 renewable energy companies being publicly traded.  In 2006 that number had increase to 80 with a market capitalization of more than $50 billion.