[SustainableTompkins] spectacular growth of residential renewable energy systems in Germany demonstrates this potential

[Deb Eichten]

 "In 2006, Germans invested more than US$10 billion in new sources of renewable
energy<http://www.german-renewable-energy.com/Renewables/Navigation/Englisch/root.html>.
Germany now operates more wind-farms, more solar-farms and more biogas
plants than any other nation.  Renewable energy sources contributed over 70
billion kilowatts in 2006, which is over 11 percent of Germany's total
electricity consumption."
[excerpt from article on IBM intranet discussing IBM's role  in making
"smart power grid".]

http://www.german-renewable-energy.com/Renewables/Navigation/Englisch/root.html