Renewable energy investment in the first half of 2026 reached $327.5 billion, on par with the preceding six-month level but down 21 percent from its peak in second half 2024. The numbers show the broader growth story for renewables remains intact despite policy changes in key markets like the United States and China.
Asset finance for standalone utility-scale solar and onshore wind, which usually makes up two-thirds of annual investment, once again accounted for less than half of investment during first half 2026. This partly reflects tighter scrutiny of revenue risks and returns.
Standalone utility-scale solar was hit harder than onshore wind. Financing fell 20 percent year-on-year to $75.4 billion, the lowest investment volume seen since the solar boom began in 2021. Concerns about curtailment, power price cannibalization, and grid congestion caused asset financing to fall in multiple markets, particularly China, Brazil and parts of Europe.
Those same challeng
