Between 1975 and 1980, Switzerland increased its per-capita research expenditure from nothing to $2. From that point on, the amount steadily climbed until it hit $5 per individual by the year 2000. The UK, on the other hand, spent the least generally, with the possible exception of a short time in 1990 when Spain spent the least. The average cost of conducting research in Britain had reached a record low of $0.20 per person by the year 2000. For the two remaining countries, Spain varied its research spending at $1 throughout the survey, spending somewhat more than the UK. Denmark spent roughly $1.2 per person on average in 1980, and this sum remained constant for the next ten years. Starting in 1990, the amount rose quickly and continued to do so until it peaked in 2000 at $3.5 per person. The four countries collectively invested a range of amounts in the study of renewable energy sources. But the Swiss and Danes were the most enthusiastic proponents of these alternative energy sources.

Switzerland's citizens invested much more in research from $0 to $2 per person between 1975 and 1980. And this trend continued all the way to the end, when it reached $5 per person in 2000. The expenditure on energy had a substantial increase in 1980, amounting to slightly over $1 per person, followed by Switzerland and Denmark. After slightly falling to a little more than $1 per person from 1980 to 1990, this amount—roughly $3.5 per person—exploded in 2000. For the two remaining nations, patterns changed, though. In 1980, both nations spent roughly $1 per person before Spain and the UK saw a small decline, spending $1 and over half of all expenditures, respectively. After changing throughout time, these trends declined to less than $1 per person in 2000. British research spending per person had reached an all-time low of $0.20 by the year 2000.

From that point on, the amount increased regularly until it reached $5 per person by the year 2000. The UK, on the other hand, made the fewest expenditures overall, with the exception of a brief period in 1990 when Spain made the fewest expenditures. By 2000, British research expenditures per person had fallen to an all-time low of $0.20. For the remaining two nations, Spain fluctuated its research spending at $1 for the duration of the study, spending just a little bit more than the UK. In 1980, Denmark spent about $1.2 per person on average, and this amount stayed the same for ten years. The sum increased rapidly starting in 1990 and rapidly increased until it reached an all-time high of $3.5 per person in 2000. In total, the four nations invested varying sums in research into renewable energy sources. But, it is evident enough that the Swiss and Danes showed the most enthusiasm for these non-conventional energy sources.