Global investments targeting clean and renewable energy across the globe increased by 22% from the first quarter, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The increased interest in clean energy was driven by an upturn of financing of solar projects and wind energy investments.  This was added to the 170% uprising in equity funding for specialist companies in the sector.

Despite this worldwide trend, Europe failed to follow through with its initial energy placements last year. The projects in the continent decreased by 44% compared to the first quarter, which total to only about US$9.5 billion. This latest figure is the lowest ever recorded for the region.

"These figures are a mixture of sweet and sour. On the sour side, 2013 globally is still running below 2012, which was itself down on the 2011 investment record," explained Bloomberg New Energy Finance chief executive Michael Liebreich.

"On the sweet side, the US is back in business following the hiatus that resulted from fears about the possible expiry of the Production Tax Credit for wind at the end of 2012," he explained further.