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The Morning Briefing: Renewable energy

"The Morning Briefing" is SmartPlanet's daily roundup of must-reads from the web. This morning we're reading about renewable energy concerns and predictions.
Written by Charlie Osborne, Contributing Writer

"The Morning Briefing" is SmartPlanet's daily roundup of must-reads from the web. This morning we're reading about renewable energy concerns and predictions.

1.) Renewable energy can supply 80 percent of U.S. electricity. Renewable energy can supply 80 percent of U.S. electricity demand by 2050, concludes a report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Renewable Electricity Futures Study (RE Futures).

2.) Renewable-energy fraud trial opens in Maryland. A Maryland man faces trial in a $9.1 million fraud case that is shedding light on problems in a renewable energy credits program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

3.) Worldwide investment in renewable energy hit $257 billion in 2011. A recent report states that investments in renewable energy reached $257bn last year. This was an increase of 17 percent from the previous year.

4.) Renewable energy systems may buy shares in offshore wind parks. Renewable Energy Systems Ltd., a U.K. clean-power developer, may buy stakes in offshore wind projects as European governments seek to attract investment into the industry to curb carbon emissions and secure supply.

5.) International solar energy survey reveals consumer optimism and misperceptions. Applied Materials, Inc. has announced the results of its fourth annual solar energy survey, which measures consumers' understanding and awareness of this renewable energy source.

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