Editor's Note:

Get your pens and pencils ready.

I've been invited back to appear on the Forbes on Fox television program...and this time I'm going to deliver a blockbuster.

During my appearance, I'm planning to reveal my next blockbuster recommendation -- a company so strong I'm labelling it my Next Big Growth Stock for the Next 3 Years.

During my first appearance on this program in April ‘06, I offered up 2 recommendations (Micros and Ormat Technologies)...which have since shot up more than 17% and 15%, respectively. And I think this one could be even bigger.

So be sure to tune in this Saturday -- at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time.

It's an appearance you won't want to miss.

Best Regards,

Brian Hicks

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On July 25, Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Richard Zilmer sent a “Priority 1” memo to the Pentagon’s top brass requesting that renewable energy systems be sent to Iraq so the military could leverage resources like sunlight and wind to produce power for bases and outposts.

Commanders insist that tapping renewable energy sources would lessen dependence on fossil fuels—a move that would result in saving lives.

Here’s a section of the original memo:

“A proposed alternate solution—one that reduces the number of convoys while providing an additional capability to outlying bases—is to augment our use of fossil fuels with renewable energy, such as photovoltaic solar panels and wind turbines, at our outlying bases. By reducing the need for [petroleum-based fuels] at our outlying bases, we can decrease the frequency of logistics convoys on the road, thereby reducing the danger to our Marines, soldiers, and sailors.”

It wasn’t long after this original memo was sent that the US Army’s Rapid Equipping Force (REF), which speeds frontline requests, moved forward to welcome proposals from companies for building and shipping 183 renewable energy frontline power stations to Iraq.

The request resulted in SkyBuilt Power being singled out as the manufacturer that could meet the mission’s needs.

SkyBuilt’s Mobile Power System (MPS) can be transported in a standard shipping container that can then be used to support solar panels, wind turbines or gasoline-powered generators.

Now, the upfront cost for the MPS is around $100,000. A 10-kilowatt diesel generator, however, runs between $7,500 to $10,000.

Again, we see a renewable energy solution adding a significant amount to up-front capital costs.

But when maintenance, fuel and fuel logistics costs are figured into the equation, the cost of the MPS can be recovered within three to five years.

Thank You, General Zilmer!

When General Zilmer’s memo was first sent, the media jumped all over it.

But the fact is, these types of remote, off-grid renewable energy systems are nothing new.

Not only have these systems been around for quite some time, but over the past couple of years a number of solar companies specializing in off-grid systems have made huge leaps in cost reduction.

And really, that’s what it all boils down to.

Because the military’s fuel bills are proving to be nothing short of crippling.

This past spring, the Defense Energy Support Center reported the US military used nearly 130 million barrels of fuel last year. The cost: about $8 billion.

The fuel bill for the year before that was a full $1 billion less!

So it’s no surprise to find so many alternative energy companies looking for ways to tap the military market these days.

Beyond SkyBuilt, there are a number of solar manufacturers offering mobile solutions for telecommunications systems, water irrigation, aviation lighting, etc.

There’s even a company that develops advanced electric motor technologies that recently received Army authorization to proceed with the design and development of an Integrated Starter Alternator (ISA) for use in the US Army’s Humvee.

This ISA allows both improved fuel economy and limited-range stealth capabilities in an all-electric drive mode.

Listen: The military is looking at every possible way to cut those fuel costs. And alternative energy companies are on this opportunity like white on rice.

Incidentally, the company developing the ISA for the US Army is publicly traded and was just recently added to the Green Chip Stocks portfolio.

Also in the Green Chip Stocks portfolio is an engineering firm that’s developed an alternative engine for the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) market.

Since the Iraq war began in 2003, UAVs have been responsible for gathering intelligence and saving countless lives of our soldiers abroad.

But UAV technology is old. It’s been around since WWI.

And while these are supposed to be “stealth” vehicles, they’re actually extremely loud. Even worse, they can’t go very far.

Fortunately for us, this little engineering firm I just mentioned has developed an alternative engine that can fix these problems.

With the company’s alternative engine in place, the UAV will weigh much less, giving it more thrust and the ability to carry more fuel – thereby enabling it to travel much further than ever before.

Plus, it also offers a massive reduction in noise. And that means it’s far less likely to be detected by the enemy.

Not a bad selling point!

If you’d like to read more about this engine and the company that makes it, click here now.

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