Ron/Robomatic:

The prices I quoted were generation costs in megawatt hours.   I did not include transmission costs to keet the comparisons apples to apples.   I should have used MWh to be more accurate.

source for numbers.   My utility (DTE) charges about $.095 per killowatt hour.   If you go to the Michigan Public Service Commission web site- they post the PSCR or power service cost recovery (cost of generation)   This is where I got the cost of electricity.   As a side note Consumers Energy - the other large utility in our state has an average PSCR at about $30 per MWh.

The wind cost is the actual contract between the three windmills in Michigan and Consumers energy. They have quoted me the same rates.   Community energy and other wind developers have quoted me the prices I list for wind energy in other States. The solar numbers were from a Unisolar presentation at a renewable energy conference in Traverse City last year.   Note- Solar also has a high cost of equipment you have to factor in.   Small hydro I got from the MEEA (midwest Energy Efficiecny Alliance) conference in Chicago 2 years ago.   They have one of the best energy conferences in the coutry each year in Sept.   Check out their webwite.   Last year they has 6 public service commissioners along with the #3 person in the department of energy among other great speakers.

That is my sourcing.   You can accept it or reject it- but they numbers are real.   The public service commssion has requested that we sign up 60,000 customers for renewable energy by 2008.   That would put our renewable program in the top 5 voluntary renewable programs in the country.

We are also filing a net metering tarriff this week to buy back energy from people with renewable sources in their home.   I am also involved in a PAYS (pay as you save) pilot to fund energy efficiency projects on their uitlity bill.   This was done in New Hampshire and we are looking at it.   I also have a speech for the UAW on Friday about saving money on your energy bill.   should be a busy week.