Explanation: First-generation renewable energy technologies, including biomass combustion and hydropower, are characterized as mature and economically competitive, having originated during the industrial revolution.

Explanation: The primary rationale for transitioning to renewable energy sources extends beyond solely reducing consumer energy costs, encompassing broader goals such as addressing climate change, pollution, and energy insecurity.

Explanation: The International Energy Agency (IEA) identifies third-generation renewable energy technologies as those still under development, requiring further research and development efforts.

Explanation: Solar heating and cooling is classified as a second-generation renewable energy technology, while biomass combustion, hydropower, and geothermal power are first-generation technologies.

Explanation: New evidence from 2011 highlighted escalating costs of nuclear power plants as a risk, not decreasing costs. The other options are listed as risks.

Explanation: By 2025, investment in the energy transition, encompassing renewables, had grown to approximately twice the investment committed to fossil fuels, indicating a shift away from fossil fuel dominance.

Explanation: The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for renewable sources, especially solar panels, has significantly declined due to widespread implementation, not increased due to limited implementation.

Explanation: In 2019, renewable energy sources indeed comprised nearly 75% of all newly installed electricity generation capacity globally, demonstrating significant market penetration.

Explanation: In 2015, global investment in renewables indeed reached a record US$329 billion, coinciding with new highs in installed capacities for wind and photovoltaic power.

Explanation: By the close of 2011, total worldwide renewable power capacity indeed exceeded 1,360 GW, with wind power and solar photovoltaics being the foremost contributors to the newly added capacity.

Explanation: In 2014, China's renewable energy sector grew faster than its fossil fuels and nuclear power capacity, indicating a rapid expansion in its clean energy initiatives.

Explanation: The costs of renewable energy technologies in China decreased primarily due to market expansion and innovation, alongside rapid solar cell production, rather than solely government subsidies.

Explanation: In 2010, China was indeed the primary driver of new wind power installations, contributing nearly half of all new global capacity.

Explanation: In late 2011, factory-gate prices for crystalline-silicon photovoltaic modules indeed fell below $1.00/W, a benchmark often linked to achieving grid parity for PV.

Explanation: Despite a decline in new investments in solar and wind power in 2012, the total installed capacities for both technologies experienced sharp growth, primarily attributable to reduced production costs.

Explanation: In 2015, global renewables investment reached a new high of US$329 billion.

Explanation: By the end of 2011, total worldwide renewable power capacity surpassed 1,360 GW.

Explanation: In 2013, China led the world in renewable energy production, achieving a total capacity of 378 GW, predominantly from hydroelectric and wind power.

Explanation: The main drivers of reduced costs for renewable energy technologies in China were market expansion and innovation, alongside rapid solar cell production.

Explanation: In 2010, global wind power installations experienced a 22.5% increase from the previous year.

Explanation: China was the primary driver of new wind power installations in 2010, contributing nearly half of all new global capacity.

Explanation: In 2010, total global investment in renewable energy reached $211 billion.

Explanation: In 2012, the approximate share of renewables in Germany's energy mix was 22.9%, surpassing the OECD average.

Explanation: In 2012, worldwide solar electricity consumption increased by 58%.

Explanation: At favorable sites, hydro-electricity and geothermal electricity are indeed considered the most cost-effective methods for electricity generation.

Explanation: In 2015, hydroelectricity accounted for 16.6% of the world's total electricity generation, though it comprised 70% of all renewable electricity.

Explanation: Geothermal power plants are capable of continuous, 24-hour operation, thereby providing reliable baseload electricity capacity.

Explanation: The United States indeed holds the global lead in installed geothermal power capacity, possessing 3.1 GW.

Explanation: Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) are new technologies designed to expand geothermal power development beyond traditional geographical areas, not limit it.

Explanation: In 2015, hydroelectricity accounted for 16.6% of the world's total electricity generation.

Explanation: The United States leads the world in installed geothermal power capacity.

Explanation: Solar heating systems are classified as second-generation technology and are used for a variety of applications, including domestic hot water, swimming pools, homes, businesses, and industrial processes.

Explanation: In the 1980s and early 1990s, photovoltaic (PV) cells were primarily utilized for remote-area power supply, with a shift to grid-connected applications and large power stations occurring later, around 1995.

Explanation: Photovoltaic power stations offer significant environmental benefits as they incur no fuel costs or emissions during their operation.

Explanation: The wind industry has achieved lower production costs by utilizing taller wind turbines with longer blades to capture faster winds at higher elevations, not shorter blades and turbines at lower elevations.

Explanation: A Solar Updraft Tower (SUT) generates electricity from low-temperature solar heat by heating air, which rises through a chimney to drive wind turbines, not by boiling water for steam turbines.

Explanation: Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) is projected to have a higher collection rate and longer collection period compared to terrestrial methods, owing to the absence of atmospheric interference and nighttime.

Explanation: As of 2009, China had 27 million rooftop solar water heaters installed.

Explanation: In the 1980s and early 1990s, photovoltaic (PV) cells were primarily used for remote-area power supply.

Explanation: Wind power accounts for approximately 19% of electricity generated in Denmark.

Explanation: The wind industry has achieved lower production costs by employing taller wind turbines with longer blades to capture faster winds at higher elevations.

Explanation: The Hoover Dam Solar Facility (USA) is not mentioned as a notable solar thermal power station in the provided text; Solnova, Andasol, and Nevada Solar One are listed.

Explanation: A projected benefit of Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) is a higher collection rate and longer collection period compared to terrestrial methods, due to the absence of atmospheric diffusion and nighttime.

Explanation: As of 2010, Vestas (Denmark) was the world's top wind turbine manufacturer by market volume.

Explanation: Biomass is a fully mature technology that, like hydropower, is capable of providing stable baseload power generation.

Explanation: Between 2000 and 2007, global ethanol production for transport fuel indeed tripled, and biodiesel production increased more than tenfold.

Explanation: Brazil's ethanol program has enabled the nation to achieve complete self-sufficiency in liquid fuels, thereby eliminating the necessity to import petroleum for domestic consumption.

Explanation: Cellulosic ethanol is produced from inedible cellulose fibers in plant matter, such as crop residues and wood waste, not primarily from edible plant matter like corn kernels.

Explanation: The Rance Tidal Power Station in France, operational since 1966, is recognized as the world's first and currently largest tidal power station by installed capacity.

Explanation: Brazil's ethanol program has enabled the nation to achieve complete self-sufficiency in liquid fuels.

Explanation: Crop residues like corn stalks are identified as a potential source for cellulosic ethanol, which is produced from inedible cellulose fibers.

Explanation: The Rance Tidal Power Station is notable as the world's first tidal power station.

Explanation: Germany, Denmark, and Spain are indeed acknowledged for their pioneering policies that have substantially propelled the expansion of renewable energy.

Explanation: Public policy is considered essential for renewable energy commercialization precisely because free market systems often fail to reflect the 'true cost' of energy and can favor existing fossil fuel technologies through market distortions.

Explanation: Tax shifting involves adjusting tax policies to reduce income taxes while simultaneously increasing levies on environmentally damaging activities, thereby incentivizing investments in renewable technologies.

Explanation: An IEA report in November 2011 argued that subsidies for green energy technologies are justified, even if they are not yet competitive, to incentivize investment in technologies with environmental and energy security benefits.

Explanation: The IEA indeed recommends that renewable energy and energy efficiency policies be developed synergistically as complementary tools for a sustainable energy future.

Explanation: Germany's 'Energiewende' policy aims to phase out nuclear reactors by 2022, not 2030, and achieve a renewable energy share of 60% by 2050, not 80%.

Explanation: Voluntary market mechanisms for renewable electricity are driven by consumer preferences, allowing individuals and organizations to exceed policy requirements, rather than by government mandates or strict regulatory requirements.

Explanation: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 indeed allocated over $70 billion for clean energy and related transportation programs, marking the largest federal commitment of its kind in U.S. history.

Explanation: Germany, Denmark, and Spain are explicitly mentioned as leaders in implementing innovative renewable energy policies, while the United States is not in this context.

Explanation: Public policy is essential for renewable energy commercialization to counteract market distortions and ensure that renewables develop at a socially desirable pace and scale.

Explanation: The argument for 'subsidy shifting' is to redirect existing subsidies from fossil fuels and nuclear power to climate-benign energy sources, thereby leveling the playing field for renewables.

Explanation: An IEA report in November 2011 asserted that subsidies for green energy technologies not yet competitive are justified to incentivize investment in technologies offering environmental and energy security benefits.

Explanation: Germany's 'Energiewende' is a comprehensive plan to transition to a low-carbon, environmentally sound, reliable, and affordable energy supply, heavily relying on renewable sources and efficiency.

Explanation: A key target of Germany's 'Energiewende' policy is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels.

Explanation: In the EU, 'guarantees of origin' are mandated by the RES Directive to track and promote voluntary green electricity purchases, supporting new renewables and sustainability.

Explanation: Approximately US$188 billion in green stimulus funding was allocated to renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives in response to the Great Recession.

Explanation: Energy efficiency is considered a 'twin pillar' because it is crucial for moderating energy demand growth, thereby enabling clean energy supplies to achieve substantial reductions in fossil fuel consumption.

Explanation: The IEA predicted that by 2025, renewable capacity would meet 35% of global power generation needs, not 60%.

Explanation: A significant challenge for Germany's 'Energiewende' has been the insufficient investment in power infrastructure required to transmit renewable energy to market.

Explanation: Mark Z. Jacobson believes that achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050 is feasible, arguing that the barriers are primarily social and political, not technological or economic.

Explanation: According to the 2013 Post Carbon Pathways report, the primary roadblocks to large-scale renewable energy strategies are political, not technological, encompassing issues like climate change denial and political inaction.

Explanation: The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that renewable capacity will meet 35% of global power generation needs by 2025.

Explanation: Difficulty overcoming established energy systems, characterized by technological lock-in and market control by conventional operators, is a significant non-technical barrier to renewable energy commercialization.

Explanation: Analysts anticipate that the renewables market is projected to triple by 2030.

Explanation: In IPCC scenarios aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, renewables are projected to supply 60% of primary energy by 2050.

Explanation: According to Mark Z. Jacobson, the primary barriers to achieving 100% renewable energy are social and political factors, rather than technological or economic limitations.