Make your own wind and solar power systems
So you want some do-it-yourself climate solutions. Popular Science is the place to go.
The magazine details how, for $300, you can build a vertical wind turbine (pictured below) for your home in about 3 days. It will generate 50 kilowatt-hours per month, which might be about 10% of your electricity use, depending on the size of your house and how efficient you are. You can also download plans at windstuffnow.
Or maybe you want something a tad bit easier to make, something to “keep your gadgets powered even when the grid fails you.” Follow these instructions, and for a mere three hours in work and $150 in parts, you’ll have your very own solar charger (pictured below).
August 24th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
I don’t know many wind energy professionals who’d recommend rooftop mounts. Paul Gipe explains: http://www.wind-works.org/articles/RoofTopMounting.html
August 24th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
There is a subculture dedicated to maximizing Prius MPG that is about evenly divided between environmentalists, cheapskates and techno gearheads. These do-it-yourself products have the same appeal. The wind turbine guy is a true backyard Edison. I went to the Paul Gipe wind-works site linked by scruss. Outstandingly informative.
Joe, you’ve mentioned your use of PV power. How about a post about how your system works with info on manufacture and installation. I would think an all out effort to equip America with rooftop power is something you would favor.
August 24th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
If I put something like that on top of our house, my wife would make me sleep on the front lawn until I took it down.
And she and I both are VERY strong advocates of renewable energy.
August 24th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Here is another way to join in the fight against climate chage — stop going to Starbucks!! They would have you think they are environmentally aware, but they would rather promote movies, (Arctic Tale), then implement a meaningful corporate recycling program.
More here:
http://robdubinski.wordpress.com/ 2007/ 08/ 24/ starbucks-arctic-tale-global-warming-corporate-hypocrisy/
August 25th, 2007 at 10:37 am
Scruss — Thanks for the link. You may be right. I certainly wouldn’t do it except on a home in a relatively low wind environment.
Paul — I don’t know if my PV system warrants an entire post especially since the system was built by a company that now only does commercial PV systems, but I will try to do a post on my house at some point.
August 26th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
OH NOES!! It makes us look like a Freak Show!