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Non-Tech : Alternative energy -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Stephen O who wrote (970)	6/7/2004 2:26:52 PM
From: Rock_nj	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 16955

Wind is cost-competitive with fossil fuel electricity now, which is why it is suddenly so in vogue, with biggies like GE jumping on board and growth rates approaching 30% per year (I know it has slowed this year because the feds are dragging their feet on renewing the tax credit). Solar is still too expensive to be taken seriously (3 or 4 times more than fossil fuel electric), unless you're living well outside the range of the grid, then it becomes very cost-competitive. But, I have been reading about major advancements in solar recently that could bring its cost down in coming years, using a wider range of the solar spectrum and/or lowering construction costs with new far more efficient materials for building solar cells. As far as hybrids go, I hate to say it, but they're a bit overhyped. They don't quite deliver what they promise. Yes, they're an improvement, but they should keep the hype to a minimum. Hybrids will probably be most effective in dramatically increasing the fuel efficiency of light trucks and SUVs. In a few years, all light trucks and SUVs might come with a hybrid engine standard. When they start producing hybrid SUVs like the Ford Escape that gets 35-40 MPGs, the consumers will take notice and demand more models. Also, hybrids reduce emission significantly, which is another major benefit.