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On the surface, it looks like the renewable energy industry has never been healthier. This year, wind-turbine installation in the U.S. actually outpaced the installation of new natural gas capacity—despite the shale gas boom, which has pushed down the price of natural gas. In 2012 new wind capacity reached 6,519 MW as of Nov. 30, just edging out gas capacity and more than doubling new coal installations. Meanwhile new solar capacity in the U.S. reached nearly 2,000 MW, beating out 2011′s numbers. Globally the stock of installed wind and solar power hit 307 GW in 2011, up from 50 GW in 2004, while total investment in the sector hit $280 billion last year. Those are some bright numbers.