Alternative Energy Expenses

Of course, everything comes at an expense and energy is definitely no exception. Renewable Energy is gradually being picked up as the number one priority in the energy market and as this happens production of Renewable Energy plants across the world have increased exponentially. Unfortunately, establishing these plants are, at the moment, still expensive and it requires special skills to maintain the production of energy. According to the EPA US (Environmental Protection Agency of the United States) and the International Forum on Globalization the database on energy cost is looking optimistic and promising. These are the details.

EPA Energy Cost Database (Time may vary) (US only)
Renewable Energy                         Year           Size         Cost for every kw (2007)

Biomass                                         2012          80           $64.45

Geothermal                                    2010          30           $164.64

Hydro                                            2012         500          $13.63

Wind                                             2009          50            $30.30

Wind Offshore                               2012          100          $89.48

Solar Thermal                                2012          100          $56.78

PV                                                2011           5              $11.68

International Forum on Globalization Cost database (Average in the world)The cost to install one kilowatt of new capacity ranges from:

• Conventional Energy Sources
• US$500 - US$1500 for Natural Gas
• US$1900 - US$5800 for Coal
• US$4500 - US$7500 for Nuclear
• Renewable Energy Sources
• US$1300 - US$2500 for Wind
• US$2600 - US$3500 for Geothermal
• US$3000 - US$5000 for Solar Thermal
• US$3900 - US$9000 for Solar PV

The cost to generate existing power is:

• Existing Power (mostly conventional)
• US$0.01/kWh for Hydropower
• US$0.02-0.04/kWh for coal
• US$0.029/kWh for Nuclear
• US$0.04-0.07/kWh for Natural Gas
• Renewable 
• US$0.04-0.09/kWh for Biomass
• US$0.045-0.1/kWh for Wind 
• US$0.06-0.15/kWh for Solar Thermal
• US$0.10/kWh for Geothermal
• US$0.10/kWh for Tidal
• US$0.12/kWh for Wave
• US$0.21-0.83/kWh for Solar PV

Sources: 

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/renewabledatabase.html

http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/5304/six-renewable-energy-sources-judged-to-be-best-prospect-for-future-says-report/

"News." Six Renewable Energy Sources Judged to Be Best Prospect for Future, Says Report. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.