...while solar and wind energy account for of global energy supply only
0.3%
Million Tonnes of Oil Equivalent
Renewable Energy Supply - Total Total Biomass (solid, liquid, gaseous)
1 200
Solid Biomass 1 000
800
600
400 Hydro 200
0
Geothermal Wind 1992
1997
2002
2007
Source: UNEP GEO Data Portal, as compiled from IEA
2009
Solar Thermal Solar Photovoltaics
Combustion of traditional biomass such as wood and waste represent by far the largest part of all renewables. The share of technologies that harvest energy from the sun, wind and water, is under 3%, while solar and wind power alone account for just 0.3%. However, there has been a recent “take-off� in solar (nearly 30 000% since 1992), and to a lesser extent wind (6 000%) and biofuel (3 500%) energy supply, albeit beginning from a very low base. This development is mainly due to decreasing prices of these technologies and the adoption of policies by countries worldwide (119 as of 2010) to promote renewable power generation (REN21 2011).
30 000
Solar Photovoltaics
20 000
10 000
Wind
Renewable Energy Supply - Change
Biofuels - Biogasoline & Biodiesel
Index, 1992=100
0
1992
Solar Thermal
1997
2002
Source: UNEP GEO Data Portal, as compiled from IEA
78
2007
2009