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What is one alternative energy technology that you would like to see become more widespread?

I know we have a lot of alternative energy skeptics in here, but the reality is that point-source energy production using a wide array of energy technologies will be the way of the future. Large scale wind and solar operations are technological nightmares and cost-wise gigantic monstrosities, but wide-spread adoption of small scale usage by individual homeowners has gigantic potential. Also, methane re-uptake technologies for commercial farming operations and water treatment facilities are also likely to become significant contributors to our future energy basket.

What is one alternative energy technology that you would take a serious interest in if it were more cost effective. Also, if you invested in some kind of alternative energy technology, how long of a payback period (recouping of costs through savings on utility bills) do you consider to be reasonable? For the sake of this question let’s assume the unit you purchase will have a 30 year useful lifespan and your total return on investment would be 30/x, where x is your payback period, suggesting an average payback period of six years would imply a 500% total return on investment.

Renewable energy. Why isn’t our government doing more to subsidize and encourage industry growth?

Set aside your biases about global warming for a second. America’s energy consumption is outgrowing it’s ability to produce said energy. Every summer, power grids around the country have experienced brown-outs and shutdowns to keep the energy grids running. This is only expected to increase as the population and dependence on coal based electricty increases.
The technology exists to lower fossil fuel consumption and augment it with renewable resources. Why not spend less money providing subsidies and tax breaks to oil and coal, and instead work to subsidize renewable energy into the market. For instance, invest in private companies to develop and sell solar technologies to businesses at a reduced rate. Or, give a tax credit to homeowners for investing in solar roofs or windmills on their property. Renewable energy may never replace traditional fuels, but there is a definite need to grow this industry and it seems like the government doesn’t care.

Why isn’t our government doing more to promote and subsidize renewable energy?

Set aside your biases about global warming for a second. America’s energy consumption is outgrowing it’s ability to produce said energy. Every summer, power grids around the country have experienced brown-outs and shutdowns to keep the energy grids running. This is only expected to increase as the population and dependence on coal based electricty increases.
The technology exists to lower fossil fuel consumption and augment it with renewable resources. Why not spend less money providing subsidies and tax breaks to oil and coal, and instead work to subsidize renewable energy into the market. For instance, invest in private companies to develop and sell solar technologies to businesses at a reduced rate. Or, give a tax credit to homeowners for investing in solar roofs or windmills on their property. Renewable energy may never replace traditional fuels, but there is a definite need to grow this industry and it seems like the government doesn’t care.
I asked this question last night, but wanted some fresh opinions this morning.
Should states take the high road and start pushing for alternatives? Massachusettes already has a solar energy credit program for homeowners.