Total renewable energy capacity worldwide exceeded 25 percent of the globe's total power generation capacity as of 2011 and supplied 20.3 percent of total electricity consumption, based on REN21's Global Status Report.

According to the report, total power generation capacity from renewables was 1,360 gigawatts as of last year. Solar photovoltaics grew the fastest among all renewable energy sectors, with an average growth rate of 58 percent annually between 2006 and 2011. Concentrating solar thermal came in second at 37 percent every year. Wind power grew 26 percent annually within the period.

Growth was attributed to countries implementing their respective renewable energy targets and policies and a rise in global investment in renewables at 17 percent, giving it a record $257 billion in 2011.

Renewable power generation policies like feed-in tariffs and renewable portfolio standards have been adopted by 109 countries so far, while policies to promote renewable heating and cooling continue to be enacted less aggressively than those in other sectors though their use has grown in recent years.

Other policies like regulatory policies supporting biofuels and climate change mitigation, among others, have also been adopted in more countries this year.

"Policymakers are increasingly aware of renewable energy's wide range of benefits - including energy security, reduced import dependency, reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, prevention of biodiversity loss, improved health, job creation, rural development, and energy access - leading to closer integration in some countries of renewable energy with policies in other economic sectors," the report states.