Renewable energy will overtake gas-burning as a source of electricity worldwide by 2015, according to the International Energy Agency.

In its recent World Energy Outlook it asserts that renewables will only be behind coal as sources of electricity.

The report said: "Renewables-based electricity generation is expected to grow substantially over the coming decades, benefiting from high fossil-fuel prices, declining investment costs and government support."

Microgeneration devices such as photovoltaic solar panels and wind turbines may play a part in this development, as the report says both traditional technologies, such as hydropower, and new technologies, such as wind, will play a part.

Ed Miliband, secretary of state for energy and climate change recently tabled amendments to the Energy Bill for incentives to be offered for microgeneration.

Both small scale electricity and heat producers are to receive payments per unit of renewable energy generated.

This would mean a range of devices such as biomass boilers, solar thermal water heaters, and photovoltaic panels pay for themselves more quickly.

Source: Deadirect