Public policy and political leadership helps to "level the playing field" and drive the wider acceptance of renewable energy technologies. Countries such as Germany, Denmark, and Spain have led the way in implementing innovative policies which has driven most of the growth over the past decade. As of 2014, Germany has a commitment to the "Energiewende" transition to a sustainable energy economy, and Denmark has a commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2050. There are now 144 countries with renewable energy policy targets. 

Total investment in renewable energy (including small hydro-electric projects) was $244 billion in 2012, down 12% from 2011 mainly due to dramatically lower solar prices and weakened US and EU markets. As a share of total investment in power plants, wind and solar PV grew from 14% in 2000 to over 60% in 2012. The top countries for investment in recent years were China, Germany, Spain, the United States, Italy, and Brazil. Renewable energy companies include BrightSource Energy, First Solar, Gamesa, GE Energy, Goldwind, Sinovel, Trina Solar, Vestas and Yingli.
What levels the playing field?
What else do they do?
Who leads the way in this?
What is Germany comitted to?
As of when?
What about Denmark?
of what?
by when?
How many countries have these policy targets?
What was the total investment in renewable energy?
in what year?
was that up?
why?
What are the top countries for investment?
Is GE Engery one of the companies?
what grew in 2000?
to what in 2012?
what were the policy targets for?
Who has driven most of the growth?
total investment includes what?
Public policy and political leadership
Public policy and political leadership helps to "level the playing field
drive the wider acceptance of renewable energy technologies
 drive the wider acceptance of renewable energy technologies
Germany, Denmark, and Spain
Germany, Denmark, and Spain have led the way in implementing innovative policies
Energiewende
Germany has a commitment to the "Energiewende
2014
As of 2014, Germany has a commitment to the "Energiewende
a commitment to 100%
Denmark has a commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2050
renewable energy
Denmark has a commitment to 100% renewable energy 
2050
Denmark has a commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2050
144
There are now 144 countries with renewable energy policy targets. 

244 billion
Total investment in renewable energy (including small hydro-electric projects) was $244 billion
2012
 in 201
no
down 12% from 2011
lower solar price
 lower solar price
China, Germany, Spain, the United States, Italy, and Brazil.
The top countries for investment in recent years were China, Germany, Spain, the United States, Italy, and Brazil.
yes
GE Energy
total investment in power plants, wind and solar PV
 total investment in power plants, wind and solar PV
over 60%
to over 60%
renewable energy
renewable energy policy targets
Germany, Denmark, and Spain
Germany, Denmark, and Spain 
small hydro-electric projects
Total investment in renewable energy (including small hydro-electric projects