Two Approaches to Homemade Power
I’ve spent several hours recently doing research on various homemade power options. I found several different options, but homemade wind power and solar power seem like the most likely candidates, so below I’ve listed out some of facts about each method. I know it might seem basic, but I’m no expert on this stuff, so I needed to get back to the fundamentals and understand how this stuff works.
Once implemented in the home, solar power can be used to heat the home. You can also use solar power to generate hot water. When you use solar power in the home, you not only lower utility bills, but also add value to your home when you come to sell it.
The most basic technology used in solar power is the solar electric panel. These panels use photons in order to generate electricity. These photovoltaic (PV) panels can be free standing rigid sheets used to harness the sun’s energy. They can also be set into the roof, or you can get peel and stick laminates, depending on your roof type.
The sun’s energy is converted to electricity through a modified grid system. This system is no different to the usual grid system found in the home, except that it also converts solar energy. The system also has a meter installed that reads how much solar power the home has used compared to normal electricity. The meter subtracts the solar energy electricity, and the amount left is the figure applied to the utility bill.
When you use solar power in the home, it is also capable of storing energy. If there is a surplus of energy, it can be used at a later time to light your home, heat rooms and generate hot water.
About Homemade Wind Power
Homemade wind power is generated using a home wind turbine which is a device that generates electricity much like the commercial versions do, only on a smaller scale. The turbine is designed to provide electricity only for one residence, which can help lower the electrical bills for that residence significantly.
Some wind turbines are connected to a tower, but I’ll assume that we are interested in turbines that are not connected to towers since wind tower will require that you have a relatively large piece of land. Some wind turbines are installed without towers. A home wind turbine, for instance, can be connected to the top of a house, or mounted on a pole off the side of the home, and can be used to catch wind.
For those areas where there is a significant amount of wind, the systems can be quite cost effective. A home wind turbine has the potential to reduce electricity bills but as much as 90% in really good months, though the most realistic assumption that should be made is that it may cut electricity bills in half. In order to even reach a 50% reduction, an average wind speed of at least 10 miles per hour is needed.
Summary
Simply put, both form of energy work well, are environmentally friendly, and can save you a lot of money in the long run. I found that a disadvantage of both forms of energy is the upfront cost. I checked a couple of websites and it appears that either method can easily cost $5,000 – $10,000.
However, it also appears that there are some ‘Do it Yourself’ methods for generating homemade energy. Since I’m on a tight budget, my next step is to research the feasibility of those methods. I found this YouTube Video that makes the Do it Yourself methods look feasible. Look for an update on Do it Yourself methods for creating homemade power soon.
