Promoting renewable energy is one key strategy to increase energy security and mitigate global warming. What really influences the development of RE has aroused public attention worldwide. Numerous studies have identified and evaluated the critical influence factors (CIFs) for renewable energy development (RED); however, there is no consensus among the previous studies on these CIFs and their importance level. Given that, this study, for the first time, conducts a systematic review and meta-analysis of these CIFs. With evidence from 33119 observations in 67 studies, the systematic review identifies 44 CIFs. To further provide a synthesis of previous studies, a meta-analysis approach is used. Results demonstrate that: (i) 27 CIFs with statistical significance and their importance level are identified; (ii) the top three driving factors are industrial infrastructure investment, R&D and financial development, and the top three inhibiting factors are fossil-based energy consumption structure, policy uncertainty and population life; (iii) the publication year, country's economy and the RED links play a moderating role of the CIFs' influence mechanism. This study not only contributes to the existing RED knowledge body but also provides references to policy makers and practitioners in formulating policies and good practices to promote RED.

Renewable energy development; Influence factors; Systematic literature review; Meta-analysis; Energy transition