Here's an interesting Solar Power projection from Scientific American. If costs keep falling in a predictable manner, solar power may be highly price competitive within the next decade.
The shape of the curve is interesting though. Has solar hit a plateau, or are costs continuing to fall?
"...solar panels would be cost-competitive with energy from the grid for half the homes in Europe by 2020 - without a subsidy."
Here's a real good piece by Thomas Friedman for green tech. Basic argument is regardless of reality or non-reality of global warming, 2 other key trends make investing in green tech crucial
1. The world population is projected to increase by 2.5 billion people over the next 40 yrs. That's a 37% increase in population.
2. It's going to take a lot of energy to "feed, clothe, house and transport" an additional 2.5 billion people who want to consume more like Americans.
3. If we don't invest in green energy and energy alternatives, our enemies who dominate the oil producing parts of the world will only grow that much stronger.
4. Plus innovation is what we're historically good at - take advantage of our strengths.
Anyhow, I very much like the way he thinks on green tech - and note the case above is independent of how I may or may not feel about climate impacts.
I read this article on seeking alpha this morning about some pretty startling and prohibitive licensing requirements for shops that want to do gas to natural gas fuel conversions for automobiles. Apparently due due to the conversion costs conversions only appeal to large fleets that drive very high miles.
I read enough of the comments to this article to convince me that there's at least a nugget of truth in here. I don't know that conversions vs. original manufacture is the way to go for proponents (see example from AT&T fleet here), but it does seem serious economic barriers have been put in place to keep consumers on gasoline even if you wanted to change.
Some other articles:
Who even know they exist? It's a pretty good summary article that discusses some of the vehicles on the road today - and indicates there are about 150,000 on the road currently in the U.S. and about 5 million worldwide. The article indicates many feel Natural Gas could have the largest impact if treated as a premium fuel for the most polluting and heavy duty vehicles if possible. Article also indicates there's not much consumer demand for natural gas vehicles.
A friend at work sent me this link to a new type of manufactured home based on "green" principles and designed by Clayton Homes. $100-130 per square foot still sounds expensive to me, but I guess it does bring green construction down to within reach of mainstream homebuyers/builders. I kindof like how the design has you able to walk up and sit on your roof like a deck.
A buddy at work made me aware of Earth Hour, at 8:30 SATURDAY (CORRECTION from previous post) where they're asking cities and individuals to turn off all excess lighting for an hour. The idea is to be more aware of the energy we use, and take appropriate steps to conserve.
Here's the Earth Hour website.
I initially asked what should I do during that hour, thinking that I couldn't internet, but apparently interneting is OK. Just turn down the extra lights in the house, and put in some compact flourescents if you haven't yet.
Check out this energy plan by Boone Pickens. It's nice and even somewhat inspiring to see someone from the energy community coming forward with some productive alternatives other than "drill more oil." 
Essentially he's saying to take the 22% of natural gas that currently goes to electric generation and replace it with wind power. Then move the natural gas to fuel vehicles. Here's a 4 minute video.
Here's a web page version of the business case.
I found this article in the NYTimes about solar thermal power interesting. With high energy costs they're starting to build some of these plants in the deserts in the west. The plants focus the sun's energy onto a liquid, heating it, and using the steam to drive turbines. The article indicates there's a lot of energy to be had here (comparable to nuclear plants), the build times are short, and demand is high.
Anyhow, it's worth a read if you're interested.
check out this video of a different type of wind generator - a generator without a turbine.
