U.S. venture capital investment in renewable power and energy-efficiency technology declined 4.5 percent to $4.9 billion last year from 2010, according to an Ernst & Young LLP study.

The report, based on data from Dow Jones VentureSource, also reveals that investments in energy storage companies grew the most last year, more than tripling to $932.6 million from 2010.

Energy-efficiency companies received $646.9 million of funding in 2011.

Investments in new power-generation technologies declined 5 percent last year to $1.5 billion.

Worldwide venture capital investments rose 4 percent to $8.9 billion last year.