New investment in clean energy fell 11% in 2012

US, Italy, Spain and India were among the biggest decliners

Clean energy investment declined 11% in 2012, weighed down by regulatory uncertainty and policy changes in big markets such as the US, India, Spain and Italy. Sharply lower prices of solar and wind technology also provided downward pressure on investment volumes

According to data by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the overall global investment in 2012 was $268.7 billion, down from $302.3 billion in 2011.

Among countries experiencing falls in investment were the US, with a 32% drop in the face of worries during most of the year about the expiry of a key support programme and competition from gas-­