Investing more energy in alternative energy

This freakishly warm winter and sky high gas prices are just two of the many dark omens of what's in store if we continue at this rate and manner of consumption. We are certainly not simplifying life, with the constant influx of new gadgets-- I have a hard time finding enough outlets in my apartment for all my "necessities," and the perimeter of my room is a mess of wires and cords.
Environmental activists have been pushing for widespread alternative energy use, and politicians and big businesses are finally gathering behind the effort as well. 25x'25 is an iniative headed by a variety of people across the country with widespread interests, including business, farming, forestry, and environment. The coalition is backed by a bipartisan group of senators and representatives in Washington, and the goal is for the country to consume 25% of total energy from renewable sources by the year 2025. Considering that roughly 6% of total energy consumed in 2004 was renewable, the initiative will require a large commitment.
The Des Moines Register published a story about an eight home neighborhood thats spreads across 16 square miles in Decorah, Iowa, which is ahead of the pack. This "off the grid" neighborhood relies solely on renewable energy, mainly using solar and wind power and heating with wood burning stoves. The families manage to live in relative luxury, but are much more aware of the amount of energy they consume-- something that we should all pay more attention to. The initial investment in solar and wind equipment for one house is in the range of $10,000 to $15,000. It's a hefty addition to the already pricey house-building process, but monthly utility fees over the course of 20-30 years would easily amount to a similar value.
This might be quite feasible for new developments in sparsely populated midwest areas, but what sort of urban counterpart exists? Where might we find space in Manhattan for wind powered water pumps, enough to support all the buildings packed onto each block? The age of sole reliance on alternative energy may be eons away, but we are turning a new corner government and big business commitments to renewable energy.