Global investment in solar energy broke a record in 2017

Asian giant, Australia (USD 8,500 million), Mexico (USD 6,000 million) and Sweden (USD 3,700 million) have increased their investments in renewable energy.

The world investment in solar energy again beats a new record in 2017, with USD 160,800 million,18 percent more than in any other energy (renewable, fossil or nuclear), and with China leading the way, according to a report published this Thursday by the United Nations - Environment (UNEP).

Together with the Asian giant, Australia, Mexico, and Sweden have increased their investments in renewable energy, with 147 percent, 810 percent and 127 percent more than in 2016, respectively.

The report entitled 'Global Investment Trends in Renewable Energy 2018', published by the UN together with the Frankfurt School and Bloomberg New Energy Finance, explained that solar energy contributed 98 gigawatts in 2017, a figure greater than the net sum of the rest of renewable, fossil and nuclear.

This represents 57 percent of total investments in all energies (excluding large hydroelectric plants), which are estimated at USD 279,800 million.

According to the Andes, China is at the forefront of these expenses with an "unprecedented" contribution of 53 gigawatts, more than half of the total, and USD 86,500 million invested in the sector (58 percent of the total).

"The extraordinary growth of global investment in solar energy shows everything that can be achieved when we commit ourselves to grow without harming the planet," UNEP chief Erik Solheim said in a statement.

China also leads investment in renewable energy, with 126,600 million dollars, 31 percent more than in 2016.

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Together with the Asian giant, Australia (USD 8,500 million), Mexico (USD 6,000 million) and Sweden (USD 3,700 million) have increased their investments in renewable energy.

"The world has added more energy capacity with solar energy than with coal, gas and nuclear together," explained the president of the Frankfurt School, Nils Stieglitz.

Despite the upward trend in the commitment to renewables, in two large economies, such as the United States (USA) and Europe, its investment has declined, with 6 percent less and a total of USD 40,500 million in the American case, and 36 percent less and 40,900 million in the European, as per Andes.

Within Europe, the main countries that have withdrawn investments to "clean" energy in 2017 were the United Kingdom (65 percent less and USD 7.6 billion ) and Germany (with a decrease of 35 percent and 10.4 billion).

Also, Japanese investment fell by 28 percent, to USD 13,400 million.

Between 2007 and 2017, the global investment in renewable energy was 2.7 trillion dollars.