photo by j. schiller
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This week will be an interesting one for the alternative energy companies. Especially when it comes to wind power energy. On Thursday the Texas Public Utility Commission takes up a significant wind power infrastructure initiative. This could be a day to remember in the wind power industry.

With the price of oil at $138 for a barrel, something need to be done in the alternative energy sector. The price for wind energy is about $.04 a kilowatt, it is the cheapest form of energy that is out there today. With the Texas Public Utility Commission decision on thursday, the wind power industry could get the boost in the arm that it needs really needs.
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 The ruling could create eight renewable energy zones that would be connected the states power grid. This could possibly set the stage for other states to follow. The consensus is that the commision will rule in favor of this decision. One can only hope, since our dependency on foreign oil is out of control and with the conflict of drilling in our own country is to continue for some time.
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As for solar energy, there are actually two type of technology. One is photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight directly into electricity right inside the panel. The other is a little more crude. It uses the thermal heat generated by magnified sunlight to turn water into steam, which is then used to a turn a generator.
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The is a difference with cost per kilowatt between the two solar thermal power costs about 15 cents per kilowatt hour to produce. Photovoltaic electricity costs about 20 cents per kilowatt hour to create.
Solar power has it’s set backs which include, but not limited to being built where the sunlight is the strongest to maximize efficiency. Other cost that are involved are about $1.5 million for each mile of transmission lines.
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