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Newer solar devices such as thin film panels and concentrating systems can have an Energy Profit Ratio as high as 15. Large wind turbines can have an EPR as high as 50. Given that the EPR of wind and solar is so much higher than the EPR of oil or coal, it makes more sense to invest available resources in wind and solar rather than exploring for more oil or digging out more coal. The best location for solar is in deserts, both because the amount of sunshine is maximum and also because the land is not otherwise being used for agriculture. Solar roofs are also a productive use of space, generating both electricity and hot water.

Wind energy is cheaper than electricity generated by coal or nuclear energy. Due to recent price increases for natural gas, wind power is now competitive with electricity generated by natural gas.

Wind turbines generate electricity only when the wind is blowing. By connecting wind turbines to the electrical grid, fluctuations in the amount of wind in local areas averages out. By this means, wind becomes a reliable source of energy.

A rough calculation suggests that, combined with energy conservation, one or two 5 megawatt wind turbines per square kilometer would be sufficient to replace the 40% of our total energy consumption that comes from oil. At least this is a starting point.

“Maps of European wind conditions reveal that the continent’s present electric power consumption could be supplied 100-fold with onshore installations alone; offshore installations add enormous additional capacity…By 2003 the installed capacity already reached 39 GW.” - Rudolf Rechsteiner (Swiss MP)

Replacing oil will require a mix of alternatives. Europeans use half the energy per capita compared to North Americans, for a comparable standard of living. This illustrates the potential for energy conservation in North America. Vehicles can be propelled by compressed air, batteries, hydrogen, etc. However, this choice will be made by the end user. The main task at hand is to develop a primary source of energy. Compressed air, batteries, hydrogen, etc. are energy carriers or storage devices, they are not a source of energy. Wind power, solar power, and geothermal energy are primary sources of energy.