Sources of Energy
A source of energy is usually a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.  A gasoline generator converts mechanical output of the engine into electrical current using a generator, or dynamo. Sources for home systems should be renewable and free, in that you should not need to buy the source of mechanical energy. 

Wind turbines, hydro systems and solar panels are among the most efficient sources for a home user.  Biodiesel can also be used, especially to compensate other sources for special needs such as high-drain appliances.  Your sources will depend on your needs, and some areas are suited for certain types of sources. Sizing your system is important. Knowing how much energy you really need can save you lots of time, money and frustration with a home system.

The Chispito Wind Generator is a great system for getting started in wind energy. It consist of easy-to-find parts and is capable of 100 watts. Read how to make a Chispito Wind Generator or BUY ONE.

It is also important that the sources of power be easily maintained, serviced, and even built at home.  Wind and hydro systems can be built at home using basic tools and salvaged materials. The Chispito Wind Generator, for instance, can attain 100 watts and costs under ^$50 to build at home.  And that’s just the start. Home-built wind systems can get into the 5-10KW range, using nothing more than salvaged parts, magnets, and copper wire. For more information about wind systems, click here.

Solar power is trickier, mainly because most of us can’t build the cells at home.  You can buy cells and assemble them into panels for about ^$2 a watt. Prices for pre-manufactured panels range from ^$3.50 a watt to ^$4.50 a watt. Many home experimenters have dabbled with solar engines, which may hold some promise when compared to the high prices and availability of solar cells. Solar engines usually have a collector and a sterling-type engine that converts heat into mechanical energy, which can then be converted into electricity by means of a generator or dynamo.

A hybrid system is the way to go.  A little solar, some wind, some hydro, and a renewable fuel, each providing a little, but together they provide a lot.  Your system should be built around what you have.  If you have more sun, use more solar, but if you are on a hilltop, use more wind.  If you have a running stream through your back yard, you have a nice backyard, but you also have a dependable source of energy right at your fingertips.

Hydrogen is a hot topic these days, and with good reason.  It can be used to make electricity several different ways, and it can also be burned.  It is the most abundant element in the universe, yet it is hard to store and reacts with lots of things.  Hydrogen can be made and used at home, but requires close attention and very strict safety measures. 

Additional Resources:

• Fieldlines  and OtherPower - The best home-power resources on the web
• Survival Unlimited - Has lots of solar, wind, and even some hydrogen products
• American Hydrogen Association - Good starting point for hydrogen research
• Fuel Cell Information
• National Center for PhotoVoltaics
• Solatron Technologies - A great source for components