8000 hrs/year (85% total CP)x 1 million mw (total US generating capacity)= 8 trillon kwh per year. Times 10 cents per kwh that would be 800 billion. Maybe 1 trillion dollars at retail, 11 to 14 cent per kwh actual range, that we pay for electric power every year. But the actual cost was 327 billion. Large customers pay much less, maybe 5 cents per kwh? I'm guessing that conservation can cut that figure to 200 billion, then with plugin vehicles it would go to around 300 billion. 50 billion in subsidy diversion could subsidize up to 20% of that over the first five years of renewable energy revolution. About right as far as buildout rates at the start. AWEA says that by 2015 20% of present grid power could come from wind.    more »