China is again top destination for clean energy investments

Takes in US$65 billion from investors keen on solar, wind and other energy projects.

This amount was nearly twice the green energy investment dollars (US$35.6 billion) that went to the United States and a 20% increase year-on-year.

The numbers reflect only private investments in power projects and do not include government subsidies or R&D money.

China's was the world's top destination for green energy investments in 2012, a distinction it held in 2009 and 2010 but lost to the United States in 2011.

In the U.S., green energy investments plunged 37% to US$35.6 billion in 2012.

Analysts said China's success was due to its stable, long-term incentives such as its target to derive 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.

Worldwide, private investments in clean energy came to US$269 billion, down 11% from the year earlier. The drop reflected expiring subsidies and incentives in a number of key markets, including the U.S. and Europe, amid ongoing fiscal pressure.