Making your own electricity

Electricity isn’t at all the clean energy some people think it is. On the contrary… Electricity generation is the major cause of global warming, and producing your own green electricity is a small contribution to change the situation.

Technologies you may use to make your own electricity

Solar technology is mostly used to heat the home’s hot water. But there are also the solar photovoltaic systems for power generation - a first option when making our own electricity.

Other options for small power generation systems - besides the solar photovoltaic - include the small wind and small hydropower, and also the hybrid systems… In fact, these three technologies for power production – solar, wind and hydro - can be used alone, combined or... in conjunction with a fossil fuel system.

Hybrid systems

Power generation based on renewable sources is very dependent on solar, wind or water resources and cycles. During the same day or in some periods of the year the wind and solar patterns (or the water patterns, in the case of small hydro systems) can vary a lot, affecting power production.

Hybrid power systems with a fossil fuel component can overcome the constrictions associated with natural resources, in stand-alone systems.

See:
Hybrid solar wind power systems
Hybrid renewable fossil power systems

Grid-connected or stand-alone systems

Renewable – solar, hydro, wind… - power generation systems can work without any connection to the electric grid, but the advantages of such option should be compared with its disadvantages.

Grid-connected systems are usually less expensive and more flexible, unless in cases involving remote places, whenever extending a power line to the electric grid is too expensive.

See:
Grid vs. Off Grid Power Systems

Building codes and other legal requirements

Pay attention to building codes, easements and local requirements demanded by small renewable power systems. Each state has its own set of regulations.

See:
Codes and Legal Requirements for Small Renewable Systems
Requirements for grid-connected systems
Hydro Power Systems and Water Rights
Solar Power Systems Requirements
Wind Power Systems Requirements