I just did two alternative energy science fair projects with my kids, one on solar, the other on wind. In my research what I found was for wind, using technology availble off the shelf today, you need a location with an AVERAGE of 14 mph winds, year round. There were only a few USA locations that fit that description, mostly in areas with little or no population, in North Dakota, way up on the Canadian Boarder or up high in the Rockies. I thought the offshore wind farm thing in Mass. was a great idea and would be prefferable to oil rigs, but the same tree huggers who don't want oil/coal fired plants don't want anything else either!

On the Solar, the only place in the US that had "enough" sunshine to make it cost effective was again a place where there is very little population, the high deserts of AZ, NM and Nevada. Florida, the Sunshine State, has too many clouds (the experts told me). So obviously we need some R+D to develop more efficient wind generators that will produce more power in lighter wind (the average in Florida is only 5 mph!) and better PV Cells that will produce more power in less light. Current PV Cells are only 14% efficient, then there is the whole AC/DC conversion thing, and battery back up, etc. I was told that a PV system to take my 2,700 sq. foot house "off grid" would cost in the range of $40,000). Today my electric bills average nearly $400/mo. so the payback time would be 100 months or 8yrs. 4 mos....exactly the amount of time I have been living in this house!

So, where does the money come from to do the R+D? How about a 100% oil/gas tax like they have in Europe already? That would be a very strong motivator to park the SUV and take the Bus! Or buy a sailboat instead of a Jet Ski!!

Also, the state of NJ offers a 70% rebate to those who purchase solar systems! Florida is just now (2006) offering a 30% rebate. I tried to buy some solar panels from BP Solar, they are sold out! NJ's got them all because of the rebates!

Still, why is there not more development of alternative auto fuels, such as bio-diesel, ethanol, etc? Seems we could solve two problems at once; put American Farmers back to work growing soy beans, corn and sugar, and lessen our dependance on the Middle East.

It won't happen without LEADERSHIP in WASHINGTON, and those guys are bought and paid for by the OIL INDUSTRY and MIDDLE EAST LOBBIEST, so don't hold your breath waiting for any new developments. What's it been since our first "Arab Oil Crisis", about 32 years? Seen any -less- dependance on Arab Oil? We were supposed to be driving 40 mpg autos by now, but 8 years of Reagan + 4 of Shrub #1 repealed those laws.

It's all about money, paid to politicians, there is no lobby money in "Alternative Energy" The Sun and Wind are free, so no kickbacks, compared to the all-mighty Oil Lobby. Do you really think Bush 2 meant a word of it?? It's all about the money!