New Solar Thermal Power Plant Developed in SolidWorks 3D CAD Software Goes Online Near L.A.

Alternative energy became a serious market player after the turn of the millennium. Since that time, solar, wind, smart grid and other alternative energy stocks have experienced both strong up and down trends. The forces at work driving these markets are complex, counterintuitive, and sometimes mysterious. This article looks at what has been driving the price of alternative energy markets, and as a result, alternative energy company stocks.

Alternative energy mutual funds (MF) racked up extremely robust gains in the past year. Returns range from a low of 16 percent, to a high of 64 percent for a mutual fund that is heavy into solar investments. Exchange traded funds (ETF) also did well, but returns are much more variable. They range from a loss of 34 percent for a carbon ETF, to more than doubling of a solar ETF.

Alternative energy sources that are cost-competitive with fossil fuels may be closer to fruition than previously thought. Recent studies from global leaders in

Total Shade Inc., an industry leader with existing patents that reduce heat transfer beyond windows, is set to excite the market again with its latest product launch.

Not all alternative energy mutual funds are created equal. In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, a reporter asked me which alternative energy mutual funds were the most focused on renewables, noting that many mutual funds hold non-energy related companies such as Apple, PepsiCo and Google. The answer to this question is not as straight forward as one might think. This article sorts out which mutual funds are truly invested in the dynamic and growing green energy sector, and which ones are more peripheral.

A long-suspected secret behavior of water molecules in ice is seen for the first time using a new technique that could help develop energy alternatives.

Landfill gas (LFG) isn't quite as sexy as some other alternative energy sources like wind or solar; still, TreeHugger thinks its an important part of our collective renewable energy portfolio. Plus, it's cool that landfills (and the stuff that fills