China ousted Germany as the number-two nation in green energy attractiveness, E&Y said.
China led the U.S. slightly in wind energy potential, with a wind index score of 72 versus America's 71. E&Y credited China's lead to a recent announcement that the country would not require its wind energy developments to use domestically sourced components exclusively.
But the U.S. was firmly in the lead in solar energy potential. While it lagged Germany by two points in the solar photovoltaic score - 72 versus 74 - America was the unquestioned leader in solar CSP, or concentrating solar power. Its 76 score was far ahead of every country except Spain.
The U.S. is well-suited to solar CSP because of the strong sunshine and open spaces available in the Southwest. CSP, which involves mirrors aimed at a central heating tower, requires many acres of space.
The green energy report cites "a general rise in countries favoring solar technology," adding that solar is "growing [in] importance … as a generation technology going forwards."
