"Alternative" Energy No Longer Just an Alternative

At a time when oil is costing upwards of $125 a barrel, alternative energy sources are no longer just for the environmentally conscious, but for the cost conscious, as well.

"The development of alternative energy projects, especially renewable resources such as wind power, is critical for the future of the country in the face of declining world oil resources," Pickens said.

For years, emerging economies such as China have chosen "cheap" over "clean" when it comes to energy sources. But with the cost of traditional fuel sources such as oil and coal skyrocketing, environmentally friendly choices are becoming more appealing.

When it comes to China investments, "the smart money is in the clean money," says Money Morning Investment Director Keith Fitz-Gerald.

And when it comes to alternative energy, wind power isn’t the only option. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) says that solar power will provide 50% of all new electricity in the United States within eight years, creating tens of thousands of new high-tech jobs, while helping to conserve natural gas and saving American taxpayers billions in energy costs.

And while that estimate might be a bit ambitious, it’s certainly true that solar power use is on the rise, both domestically and abroad.

One of the solar power stars is First Solar Inc. (FSLR), which designs and manufactures solar modules using a proprietary thin-film semiconductor technology. With that know-how, the company’s average cost for making a solar module is among the lowest in the world.

Another up-and-comer is LDK Solar Company Ltd. (LDK), which expects to complete a brand-new silicon plant with a 1,000-ton production capacity this summer. And another plant with a production capacity of 15,000 tons per year is set to come online sometime next year.

If you prefer the built-in diversification that mutual-fund-type investments offer, consider an exchange-traded fund (ETFs) that focuses on such "clean" technologies as solar and wind power. One of the top ETF names is PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy (PBW).

If you’re the type of investor who prefers cool breezes to sunny skies, you could invest in the makers of wind turbines.

Two of the largest include GE and Siemens AG (ADR: SI). GE just received the $2 billion order from Pickens and expects another $6 billion in orders from the planned 4,000 MW Pampa project alone. And Siemens will supply the turbines for a 500 MW wind farm planned in the United Kingdom.