Alternative energy for giving with your own hands. Alternative energy for the home: choose a source. Heat pumps create heat from everything

Examples of using alternative energy in the form of ready-made solutions and do-it-yourself devices

The hydrocarbon reserves on our planet will run out sooner or later. Even taking into account the introduction of various technologies to save them, the depletion of coal, oil and gas reserves is not far off. The cost of energy resources is growing and people understand that only they themselves can take care of the safety of their budget. Therefore, they pay attention to alternative energy sources. In addition, interest in alternative energy is also caused by the banal absence in some places of the “benefits of civilization” in the form of gas and electricity. It often happens that the supply of electricity or gas to some settlements is not economically justified, and residents cannot do this at their own expense. Therefore, the owners of private houses do it themselves or purchase various installations for generating heat and electricity. After all, energy is contained in sunlight, wind, bowels of the Earth, ebbs and flows. In addition, they use the temperature difference, the energy of falling water and other sources of alternative energy. In this article we will talk about various interesting do-it-yourself installations in the field of alternative energy.

As you know, the surrounding nature is full of energy. Surely, everyone has heard that it is possible to use sunlight, wind, tides, ebb and other renewable energy sources quite efficiently. Moreover, this energy can be used on a national scale, or it can only be used to provide energy to a private house or cottage.

Below are some examples of plants that convert alternative energy into light and heat:

  • The solar panel;
  • Plant for biogas production;
  • Wind generator.


If you have available funds, you can purchase such installations and pay for installation. Due to the presence of a stable demand for such installations, manufacturers abroad and in Russia have launched the production of such products. But if you are limited in funds, then you can try to make such installations with your own hands.

Let's look at some examples.

The principle of operation of all types of heat pumps is based on Carnot cycles. The installation is a refrigerator. In the process of work, it takes away low-potential energy when it is cooled. And then converts it to thermal energy with high potential. The environment can be air, earth, water. These substances contain a certain amount of heat at any moment. The composition of the heat pump includes the following main components:

  • The external circuit in which the natural coolant is located;
  • Internal circuit filled with water;
  • Compressor;
  • Evaporator;
  • Capacitor.

Freon is used in such systems as in a domestic refrigerator. The outer circuit, as a rule, is immersed in a well with water or simply in a reservoir on the surface. There are options when the outer circuit is buried in the ground. But this is expensive and not always possible.



There are ready-made solutions for heat pumps, and there are those models that are made by hand. How to make this device for using alternative energy with your own hands? First you need to find a compressor. If you have an old air conditioner or refrigerator, you can remove them. The power required for heating is up to 10 kW.

The heat pump manifold can be installed both horizontally and vertically. The second option is used if there is not enough space. Then several wells are drilled, into which the contour is lowered. If the location is horizontal, then the collector is buried in the ground by about 1.5 meters. A heat exchanger in the water is made when the heated housing is located near the shore of a natural reservoir. The condenser will require a capacity of 120-140 liters. A copper coil is placed in it, where freon circulates.

The evaporator can be made plastic container the same volume as the condenser. A copper coil is inserted into it, which is combined through the compressor with what is in the condenser.

When making a do-it-yourself system, the evaporator pipe is usually made from a piece sewer pipe. With the help of a pipe, the flow of water is regulated. The evaporator is lowered into the reservoir. When it flows around, water starts the process of evaporation of freon. That, in turn, rises up into the condenser. There he gives off thermal energy to the water in which the coil is located. This water heats the house by circulating in the heating system.

It is worth noting that the temperature of the water in the reservoir is not so important. The main thing is that she was always there. If the pump is designed and installed correctly, it can heat the house in winter. Even if the water temperature in the reservoir is very low. In summer, the heat pump can act as an air conditioner to cool the room.

Solar panels

This is perhaps the most common use of alternative energy. In this case, the source of alternative energy is sunlight, and it is converted into electricity. can be viewed at the link.



Solar panels are offered as part of ready-made solutions and you can make them yourself. If these are factory-made installations, then, as a rule, the kit comes with a controller, an inverter, sometimes batteries, the necessary wires and fasteners. Although you can find a lot of offers when solar panels are sold separately.

As for the manufacture of solar panels with their own hands, for many this activity has become a real hobby. Sometimes there are even exhibitions on the use of alternative energy. On them, enthusiasts show solar panels that they made with their own hands.

For self-manufacturing solar panels, you need to buy photocells (on mono or polycrystals) and solder them into a series circuit. The number of cells is determined by the required voltage and output power of the battery. It is impossible to make photocells with your own hands. The technology is complex and can be implemented only in factory conditions.

So what needs to be done step by step:

  • Solder the photocells in a series circuit;
  • Fix them on a stele, polycarbonate or other material that transmits sunlight. Execution varies. Photocells are located between the panes, and the joints are insulated. Sometimes the elements are simply fixed on the glass with a protective automotive film;
  • Make a battery case from aluminum corners;
  • Install the panel with photocells into the housing;
  • Connect the panel to other elements of the solar system.

Biogas is a clean type of fuel produced without harming the environment. The technology of its production is based on the activity of anaerobic bacteria. Food waste is used as a raw material for biogas synthesis.

Waste, both liquid and solid, is placed in a container. It should be a sealed container that is equipped with a screw. It is used to mix this mass. In addition, there should be:

  • Entrance for loading waste;
  • Output for waste residues that have not been recycled;
  • Pipe for gas outlet.


The tightness of the installation must be carried out especially carefully. If gas is planned to be taken from the tank periodically, then a special valve must be provided. With it, you can relieve excess pressure if necessary. During the decomposition of biological waste in this plant, hydrogen sulfide and methane are released, which contain carbon dioxide.

In general, creating a do-it-yourself biogas synthesis plant is not an easy task. Usually, ready-made solutions are used in practice, but some craftsmen independently make such installations to obtain alternative energy. To do this, several tasks should be solved, as follows:

  • It is necessary to arrange a place for the container. Its volume is selected based on how much waste will be processed at the same time. To ensure efficient operation of the installation, you need to fill it 2/3. The container itself can be made of metal or concrete. In terms of productivity, 100 m3 of gas is obtained from 1 ton of food waste;
  • Arrange heating. To speed up the process, the waste container must be heated. There may be several options here. For example, a coil around the tank or a heating element under the tank. Anaerobic bacteria become active when heated to a certain temperature. Therefore, heating is necessary;
  • Automation. The heating should turn on when a new batch of waste is loaded and turn off when a certain temperature is reached;
  • Need a gas power generator to convert the resulting biogas;
  • Organize the collection of waste raw materials. This waste can be used for fertilizing garden beds.

Such biogas plants are used in the USA and China in various private households and farms. Here the main problem is to organize the continuous production of biogas. And this will require a constant stream of food waste or manure.

The cost of energy carriers is constantly increasing. This forces the owners of private households to look for alternative energy sources for a private home. Someone does not have the opportunity to connect to the highway due to the unaffordable price of the installation work. All this makes engineers and craftsmen turn to nature and its unique resources. Today, a number of devices are used that allow renewable energy resources. You can make them with your own hands.

Application of biological waste

Biogas is a type of fuel classified as environmentally friendly. Its scope is similar to natural gas. Its production requires the use of anaerobic bacteria. In fact, it is a product of their vital activity. Waste is placed in a special container. When the biomaterial begins to decompose, gases are released:

This technology is actively used on livestock farms in China and the USA. In order to continuously obtain biogas at home, you must have access to a free source of manure or your own farming. To build the installation, you will have to make an airtight container and mount the auger. It is used to mix the ingredients. Other required components:

  1. 1. Neck. Used for waste disposal.
  2. 2. Pipe. It is used to remove gas.
  3. 3. Fitting. Allows you to unload the waste material.


Absolute tightness is an indispensable condition for the design. If you do not take gas on an ongoing basis, you will have to additionally mount safety valve. It relieves excess pressure. If you do not install it, the structure will tear off the roof. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

  1. 1. Select a place for mounting the container. The dimensions of the product must correspond to the volumes of available waste. It is advisable to fill the tank to 2/3 in order for it to work efficiently. The tank is made of reinforced concrete or metal. With a small capacity, you do not have to rely on a large number of biogas. Approximately 100 cubic meters of energy goes to a ton of waste.
  2. 2. To accelerate the vital activity of bacteria, it is necessary to heat the waste. For this purpose, you can install a heating element or mount a coil directly under the tank. It should be connected to the heating system.

DO NOT PAY FOR ELECTRICITY! Free ENERGY! Do-it-yourself alternative energy for the home

Anaerobic bacteria live in waste and become active at certain temperatures. Apparatus automatic type turns on heating as soon as a new batch of material arrives, and turns it off if the set temperature is reached. The gas produced in this way can be converted into electricity using a gas-fired power generator.

Wind energy

People in ancient times knew how to use wind energy for various purposes. The design has changed little since then. True, instead of a millstone, a generator drive was used. It converts the energy received as a result of the operation of such an installation into electricity. Considering alternative sources of thermal energy, some owners of private houses opt for these installations. The following materials will be required for the installation of structures:

Homemade wind turbines can be created according to various schemes. First you need to assemble the frame, install the swivel assembly. Following them, blade generators are mounted. A shovel equipped with a spring coupler is installed on the side. A generator with a propeller is fixed to the frame. After that, it must be placed on the frame. Following this, a connection is made with the rotary assembly and a current collector is installed. Now you can connect to the generator and bring wires to the battery. The number of blades depends on the diameter of the propeller. The amount of electricity generated is also important.

Alternative energy for a private house. Video review

Using a heat pump

This design is complex. Here, alternative energy can be obtained from the air, soil or underground waters. Typically, these installations are used for space heating. Alternative energy sources for an apartment of this kind are a refrigerating chamber of impressive size. Cooling the surrounding space, they convert energy and generate heat. They give it to the environment. The components of the system are:

The manifold is installed horizontally or vertically. The latter option is not always available due to the characteristics of the site. Deep wells are drilled, after which a circuit is lowered into them. With a horizontal arrangement, the object should be buried in the ground at the level of one and a half meters. If the dwelling is located near a reservoir, it is necessary to lay a heat exchanger in the water.

The compressor can be taken from the air conditioner. To make a capacitor, take a tank with a volume of 120 liters. A copper coil is inserted into it. Freon will flow through it. It is also the area where the water from heating system.


For the construction of the evaporator take a plastic barrel. It must have a volume of at least 130 liters. An additional coil is inserted here. Combine it with the previous one using a compressor. The evaporator has a pipe. It can be made from a fragment of a sewer pipe. This element is necessary to control the flow of water from the reservoir.

Lower the evaporator into the pond. When it flows around, water starts the process of evaporation of freon. It goes into the condenser and transfers heat to it. The coolant passes through the heating system and heats the room. Thus, do-it-yourself energy from water can be obtained without much effort. In this case, the temperature of the water in the reservoir does not matter. It just needs to be present all the time.

Alternative heating sources

solar radiation

Solar panels were once used to power spacecraft. Such equipment is based on the ability of photons to generate electric current. To date, many modifications of solar panels have been invented. Their design is improved every year. To make a solar battery with your own hands, you can resort to two methods.

According to the first method, you should purchase ready-made photocells, assemble them in the form of a chain and place a transparent material on top. This work requires utmost care, as all components are fragile. On the surface of the photocells there is a designation in volt-amperes. There is nothing difficult in calculating the required number of elements for such a system.

First you need to make a body. For this purpose, a plywood sheet is taken and wood slats are nailed around the perimeter. After that, holes for ventilation are equipped in the plywood. A fiberboard fragment is placed inside, on which there is a soldered chain of photocells. Following this, they check how well the design works. Next, plexiglass is screwed onto wooden slats.

The second method is more suitable for professionals. The analysis of the electrical circuit is carried out from diodes D223B. They are soldered in rows. The elements are placed in the housing, which are covered with a transparent material. There are two types of photocells. These are mono- and polycrystalline modifications. The first efficiency is 13%. Their service life reaches 25 years. They can work without failures only in sunny weather.


Why pay energy companies for electricity every month when you can provide your own energy? More and more people in the world understand this truth. And so today we will talk about 8 Unusual Alternative Energy Sources for Home, Office and Leisure.

Solar panels in windows

Solar panels are the most widely used alternative source of energy in the home today. Traditionally, they are installed on the roofs of private houses or in courtyards. But recently it has become possible to place these elements directly in windows, which allows even owners to use such batteries. ordinary apartments in multi-storey buildings.



At the same time, solutions have already appeared that allow creating solar panels with a high level of transparency. It is these energy elements that should be installed in the windows of residential premises.



For example, transparent solar panels were developed by specialists from the Michigan State University. These elements transmit 99 percent of the light passing through them, but at the same time have an efficiency of 7%.

Uprise has created an unusual high power wind turbine that can be used both in everyday life and in industrial scale. This windmill is located in a trailer, which can move an SUV or motorhome.



When folded with the Uprise turbine, you can drive on public roads. But when unfolded, it turns into a full-fledged windmill fifteen meters high and 50 kW.



Uprise can be used while traveling in a motorhome, to provide power to remote sites or ordinary private residences. By installing this turbine in his yard, its owner can even sell excess electricity to neighbors.



Makani Power is a project of the company of the same name, which recently came under the control of a semi-secret innovation laboratory. The idea of ​​this technology is both simple and ingenious. It's about about a small kite that can fly up to one kilometer high and generate electricity.



The Makani Power aircraft is equipped with built-in wind turbines that will work actively at altitude, where wind speeds are significantly greater than at ground level. The received energy in this case is transmitted along the cord connecting the kite to the base station.



Energy will also be generated from the movements of the Makani Power aircraft itself. Pulling the cable under the force of the wind, this kite will spin the dynamo built into the base station.



With the help of Makani Power, it is possible to provide energy to both private homes and remote facilities where it is impractical to install a traditional power line.

Modern solar panels still have a very low efficiency. Therefore, in order to obtain high production rates from them, it is necessary to cover rather large spaces with panels. But the technology called Betaray allows you to increase the efficiency by about three times.



Betaray is a small installation that can be placed in the yard of a private house or on the roof of a high-rise building. It is based on a transparent glass sphere with a diameter of slightly less than one meter. It accumulates sunlight and focuses it on a fairly small photovoltaic panel. Maximum efficiency This technology has a stunningly high show of 35 percent.



At the same time, the Betaray installation itself is dynamic. It automatically adjusts to the position of the Sun in the sky in order to work at maximum capacity at any time. And even at night, this battery generates electricity by converting light from the moon, stars and street lights.



Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson launched an unusual project called Little Sun, which combines creativity, technology and the social commitment of successful people to the underprivileged. We are talking about a small device in the form of a sunflower flower, which during the day is filled with energy from sunlight in order to bring illumination to the darkest corners of the planet in the evenings.



Anyone can donate money so that the Little Sun solar lamp appears in the life of a family from a Third World Country. Little Sun lamps allow children from slums and remote villages to devote evenings to study or reading, without which success in modern society is impossible.



Little Sun lamps can also be purchased for yourself, making them part of your own life. These devices can be used when going out into nature or to create an amazing evening atmosphere in open areas.



Many skeptics laugh at athletes, arguing that the forces expended by them during exercise can be used to generate electricity. The creators went on about this opinion and created the world's first set of outdoor simulators, each of which is a small power plant.



First playground Green Heart appeared in November 2014 in London. The electricity that exercise enthusiasts generate on it can be used to charge mobile devices: smartphones or tablet computers.



The Green Heart site sends excess energy to local power grids.

Paradoxically, even children can be forced to produce "green" energy. After all, they are never averse to doing something, somehow playing and entertaining themselves. That is why Dutch engineers have created an unusual swing called Giraffe Street Lamp, which uses children's restlessness in the process of generating electricity.



The Giraffe Street Lamp swing generates energy when it is used for its intended purpose. Swinging in the seat, children or adults stimulate the dynamo built into this design.

Of course, the electricity received is not enough for the full functioning of a private residential building. But the energy accumulated during the day of games is quite enough to operate a not very powerful street lamp for a couple of hours after dusk.

Mobile operator Vodafone realizes that its profits increase when customers' phones work around the clock, and their owners themselves do not worry about where to find an outlet to charge their gadget's batteries. Therefore, this company sponsored the development of an unusual technology called Power Pocket.

Devices based on Power Pocket technology should be placed as close as possible to the human body in order to use its heat to generate electricity for domestic use.



At the moment, based on Power Pocket technology, two practical products have been created: shorts and a sleeping bag. They were first tested during the Isle of Wight Festival in 2013. The experience turned out to be successful, one night of a person in such a sleeping bag was enough to charge the smartphone battery by about 50 percent.


In this review, we talked only about those alternative energy sources that can be used in household needs: at home, in the office or while relaxing. But there are still many extraordinary modern "green" technologies developed for use on an industrial scale. You can read about them in the review.

The reserves of hydrocarbons on our planet are not endless, therefore, alternative energy, powered by renewable energy sources, is rapidly gaining popularity. The houses are equipped with solar panels and windmills. The share of energy generated by solar and wind power plants is growing. In 2010 it was equal to 5%. This makes you think about building a small power plant at home.

How to choose an energy source

There are many options for obtaining alternative electricity, popular and not very popular. Some of them are not suitable for our latitudes, and some are dangerous.

A heat pump that pumps heat from the soil into the house on the principle of a refrigerator is only suitable for residents of geothermal areas. An attempt to build it on his site will cost a resident of the Moscow region in the top layer of soil frozen to a depth of two meters. The root system of trees and shrubs will suffer from freezing, which will subsequently become ill or die.

Biogas is suitable for production in large enterprises where there are no problems with fuel for bioreactors. In the private sector, there is little benefit from biogas, the average household plot will not be able to produce the required amount of fuel. It will have to be imported, which will lead to constant shipping costs. Do not forget that the production of biogas is explosive and requires control over the equipment, which is difficult to carry out at home.

There are more suitable alternative energy sources for a private home. These include:

  • solar energy.
  • Wind energy.
  • The energy of the water flow.
  • Wood gas obtained from the thermal decomposition of wood in the absence of air.

Unlike biogas, they are suitable for operation in private homes and are safe when used correctly.

But not everyone has a stream running on the site or access to large amounts of wood, so it makes more sense to consider renewable energy sources, which are available everywhere. These include sunlight and wind.

There are do-it-yourself ready-made solutions for converting alternative energy. They allow you to turn it into electricity as efficiently as possible and are suitable for implementation in a private house.

Solar power plant

Solar-based backup power supplies are well suited for those places where there are constant power outages. Due to the high cost, their use is impractical where there are no problems with electricity. A solar power plant installed to save money will pay for itself only after 8-10 years. During this time, lead batteries will become unusable, and their replacement will entail additional costs. The funds spent on replacing batteries will increase the cost of the power plant and push back the payback period by another 3-5 years.

Required Components and Assembly

The solar panel is assembled from photovoltaic cells, which differ in shape and size.

Solar cells are grown from silicon and are divided into two types: monocrystalline (mono-Si) and polycrystalline (poly-Si).

Monocrystalline elements have 20% efficiency and a service life of up to 30 years. For their normal operation, sunlight is needed that hits the batteries at a right angle. With scattered light, the power of such elements is reduced by a factor of three, and even the slightest shading of one element takes the entire chain out of the generation mode.

Therefore, SES (solar power plants) built on mono-Si elements need systems that monitor the position of the sun and turn the panels after it. It is impossible to allow contamination of the panels, for this they are equipped automatic system cleaning. At small SPPs, solar panels are washed by hand.

Power plants on mono-Si panels are suitable for regions with a large number of sunny days per year. In cloudy weather, their effectiveness is close to zero.

Polycrystalline elements have their advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include low cost and efficient operation in diffused light.

They have more disadvantages:

  • Lower efficiency - 12%.
  • Shorter service life - up to 25 years.
  • Increased degradation at temperatures above 55 °C.

Solar poly-Si batteries are installed in areas with a predominance of cloudy days. The ability to convert scattered light allows you to mount them without auto-rotate systems. In addition, they do not need to be washed frequently. Due to their low cost and unpretentiousness, polycrystalline solar cells are widely used in self-made solar power plants.

Assembling your own solar power plant is best to start with the selection of components. Its power will directly depend on them. For the manufacture of a classic SES you will need:

  1. Photovoltaic elements.
  2. Bus for connecting elements.
  3. Sheet of glass or clear plastic.
  4. Aluminum profile.
  5. Epoxy resin with hardener.
  6. Wires with a cross section of 4 mm².
  7. Wall shield.
  8. Controller solar battery.
  9. Inverter 12-220 V.
  10. Circuit breakers.
  11. Terminal blocks for fuses.
  12. Schottky diodes.
  13. Lead-acid battery with a capacity of at least 150 Ah.
  14. Battery terminals.

Connection diagram of SES components:

You need to start by assembling the solar panel. Cut off pieces of the tire 7 cm long and solder them to the negative contacts of the photocell located on front side. Repeat this action with each photocell.

The resulting "semi-finished products" must be connected in series, soldering the negative output of one element to the positive of the next. The number of photocells in the circuit (module) must be such that a voltage of 14.5 V appears on its terminals. When using half-volt cells, 29 of them will be needed. So that when one element is darkened in the circuit, a reverse current does not occur, it is necessary to solder a Schottky diode into the gap of the negative bus of each photocell.

A solar battery can be made from one module, but its power will be minimal. Therefore, solar panels are assembled from several modules connected in parallel.

Degrease the glass and carefully glue the assembled modules to it. Use epoxy resin as glue, it does not become cloudy when it hardens and does not prevent light from reaching the photocells. Do not use other adhesives, even if they seem to be good.

After the epoxy has set, install the glass into the aluminum profile frame, pre-drilling a hole for the wires in it. Solder the module leads to the wires and slide them out. For tightness, fill the entire structure with epoxy.

The cured epoxy will bond the glass to the frame and protect the photocells from moisture and dust.

Features of installation at home

The assembled solar panel can be installed on the roof, but the best option it will be installed on the south wall of the house. The panel installed on it will be under the sun's rays for almost the entire daylight hours.

Hang the shield on the wall and fix the controller, inverter and terminal blocks with fuses inserted into them in the shield. Insert the wires into the shield and connect them according to the diagram. Please note that toxic gases are released from the battery during charging, so it must be placed in a well-ventilated area.

When powering indoor lighting from an inverter, part of the energy is lost during conversion. In order not to have to waste reserves from an autonomous energy source, install a lighting system at home that runs on 12 volts.

Solar collectors for heating

Speaking of solar power plants that convert light into electricity, one cannot fail to mention another type of solar panels.

Solar collectors are used in heating and hot water systems and are:

  • Air.
  • Tubular.
  • Vacuum.
  • Flat.

Inside the air collectors there are plates covered with a light-absorbing composition. They are heated by the sun and give off heat to the air circulating through the collector, which is used to heat the dwelling.

Corrugated plates are used to increase the working surface area in air collectors.

In the case of tubular collectors there are glass tubes, painted inside with black paint. Sunlight hitting the paint heats it up. The heat is then transferred to the water running through the tubes.

Vacuum collectors are a type of tubular. In it, colored tubes are inserted into transparent ones with a large diameter. There is a vacuum between them, which reduces heat loss from the inner tube.

The simplest and cheapest of all are flat-plate collectors. They consist of a plate, under which there are tubes with circulating water, closed from below with a layer thermal insulation material. The efficiency of flat-plate collectors is the lowest.

Scheme of connection to the water supply system:

The air from the collector enters the house directly, and the water first enters the boilers, where it is heated by heating elements to the desired temperature. From the boiler hot water is served in the kitchen and bathroom, it is also used for heating.

How to make a wind generator

Solar power plants do not work at night and in cloudy weather, and electricity is always required. Therefore, when designing alternative energy for a home with your own hands, you need to provide in it a generator that does not depend on the sun.

For use as a second source of energy, a wind generator is perfect. It can be assembled even from used parts, which will significantly save your money.

List of what you need to assemble the windmill:

  1. Generator with magnetic excitation from truck or tractor.
  2. Pipe with an outer diameter of 60 mm and a length of 7 meters.
  3. One and a half meters of pipe with an internal diameter of 60 mm.
  4. Steel rope.
  5. Staples and pegs for fastening the cable.
  6. Wires, section 4 mm².
  7. Step-up gear 1 to 50.
  8. PVC pipe, diameter 200 mm.
  9. Disk from circular saw.
  10. Two EC-5 connectors.
  11. A piece of steel sheet, 1 mm thick.
  12. Aluminum sheet, 0.5 mm thick.
  13. Bearing for the inner diameter of the mast.
  14. Coupling for connecting the shafts of the generator and the gearbox.
  15. Pipe for the inner diameter of the bearing, length - 60 cm.

All these materials are sold in the construction and in the car shop. New gearboxes with a generator are expensive, so it's better to buy them at a flea market.

Making a wind turbine for home

The main element of any windmill are the blades, so they need to be made first.

Use the table to determine the sizes.

The wind wheel should ideally match the power of the generator, but due to excessive large sizes resulting wheel, this is not always possible. Therefore, most often the power of the blades is much lower than that of the generator. There is nothing wrong with that.

cut pvc pipe into segments, equal to the length blades. Saw them in half along the longitudinal axis. Redraw the markings on the halves of the pipe and cut out the blades along it. Saw off triangles from blanks. From a steel sheet, cut out the mounts for the blades and drill holes in them. Take a circular saw blade, drill holes in it and bolt the blades to the blade with bolts.

Assembly, installation and connection

Dig a hole and concrete a pipe with an internal diameter of 60 mm in it. Take a seven-meter pipe and, stepping back 1 meter from the edge, install brackets on it. Weld the bearing into the same end of the pipe using argon welding.

Bend a frame from a steel sheet and weld a pipe to it from below, which fits into the bearing. Mount the gearbox with the generator on the frame by connecting their shafts. Install 2 pin stops at the bottom of the frame and at the top of the mast. They will not allow the frame to rotate more than 360 degrees. Make a weather vane out of aluminum sheet and attach it to the back of the frame. Drill a hole for the wire at the base of the mast.

Connect a wire to the generator and run it through the frame and mast. Put a wind wheel on the gearbox shaft and fix it on it. Insert the frame into the bearing and twist it. It should rotate easily.

The windmill assembly looks something like this:

  1. Blades.
  2. Circular disk.
  3. Reducer.
  4. Coupling.
  5. Generator.
  6. Vane.
  7. Wind vane mount.
  8. Bearing.
  9. Limiters.
  10. Mast.
  11. The wire.

Drive pegs into the ground so that the distance from the mast to each of them is the same. Tie the cables to the brackets on the mast. To install the mast, you need to call a truck crane. Do not try to install the wind turbine yourself! At best, you will break the windmill, at worst, you will suffer yourself. After lifting the mast with a truck crane, guide its base into the previously concreted pipe and wait until the crane lowers it into the pipe.

The cable must be tied to the peg in a taut state. Moreover, all cables must be tied so that the mast is strictly vertical, without distortions.

Connect the wind generator to charger through the EU-5 connector. The charging itself is installed in the panel with SES equipment and is connected directly to the battery.

In order not to lose household appliances, always unplug the windmill from the charger during thunderstorms.

The assembly of the power plant is completed. Now you will not be left without electricity, even if you turn off the light for a long time. At the same time, you do not have to spend money on fuel for the generator and time for its delivery. Everything will work automatically and will not require your intervention.

The experience of Europeans shows that it is unprofitable to heat rooms with fuel. In the West, people get heat with electricity. Installing electric boilers is not profitable if the house or apartment is supplied with central electricity. You can get the necessary energy resource on your own, smart people have come up with many homemade devices. We will talk about those alternative sources of electricity, which are the easiest to do with your own hands.

Getting electricity from the wind

Structure for power generation

Wind is the most common source of energy. We warn you in advance that it is not very easy to build equipment for generating electricity with your own hands, but the result of the operation of the device will not be long in coming. During development, a person will need to understand the structure of the factory technology and learn how to assemble it on their own. The main components of the installation are:

  • engine
  • multiplier
  • generator direct current
  • battery charge controller
  • battery
  • voltage transformer

There are two types of wind turbines: vertical and horizontal. Their difference lies in the order of the axis. It is a little easier to make a vertical alternative energy source for a home with your own hands than a horizontal one. In practice, each of the devices has its own advantages. The efficiency of vertical-axis equipment does not exceed 15%. Due to the low noise level, their operation at home does not cause discomfort. The amount of electricity produced depends on the strength of the wind, so the owner does not have to rack his brains if the direction of the air flow changes.

Free energy for the home, obtained using a horizontal axis, is the complete opposite of the vertical type. The equipment is characterized by high efficiency, but it needs to install sensors that respond to changes in wind direction. The disadvantage of a horizontal wind turbine is the high noise level. This option is more suitable for industrial use.

To get alternative electricity in large quantities, you need to choose the right number of blades and propeller sizes. Homemade have developed circuit diagram collection device. It all depends on what results the owner wants to get. With a propeller diameter of 2 meters, the following number of blades must be installed:

For a propeller diameter of 4 meters, the following characteristics apply:

  • 40 watts - 2 blades;
  • 60 watts - 3 blades;
  • 80 watts - 4 blades;
  • 120 watts - 6 blades.

Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that alternative electricity will help in heating the room. It remains only to find out the power of the electric boiler and calculate the required propeller size. When calculating, the wind speed equal to four meters per second was taken as the basis. In Eastern Europe, this figure is average.

The blade is an important component of the wind turbine

When making alternative energy sources for the home with your own hands, special attention should be paid to the blades. Sailing devices that are installed on old mills are not efficient because they have a low efficiency. It is advisable to use aerodynamic devices that imitate the appearance of aircraft wings. By and large, the material does not matter, the blades can even be cut from wood. If you decide to use traditional plastic, then remember that with a small number of blades in the installation, vibrations will occur. Therefore, it is desirable to place in a device that will help to obtain alternative forms of energy, 6 blades with a diameter of 3 meters. It is best to use a PVC pipe designed for pressure plumbing. To obtain aerodynamic properties, the edges of the product must be turned and sanded. To assemble the propeller, you will need an "asterisk", which is made from a horizontal.

To get high-quality electricity with your own hands, you need to balance the wind wheels. This can be done at home, during the test work, the blades are checked for arbitrary movement. If the propeller is in a static position, then vibrations are not terrible for it.

It is impossible to generate alternative energy with your own hands using wind without factory equipment. In any case, you will need a DC motor, which costs a penny compared to the price of factory wind turbines. Further, the production of equipment occurs according to the following scenario:

  • frame assembly for structural reliability;
  • installation of a rotary assembly, behind which the generator and the wind wheel will be fixed;
  • installation of a movable side shovel with a spring tie (necessary to protect the device during hurricane winds). If this mechanism does not exist, then the manufactured electricity generator with its own hands will be turned in the direction of the wind;
  • we attach the propeller to the generator, which in turn is attached to the frame, and the frame to the frame;
  • a shovel is attached to the frame;
  • the swivel mechanism is connected to the frame;
  • the generator is attached to the current collector, from which the wires go to the electrical part.

To assemble the electrical part, you need to have elementary knowledge in physics. We attach a diode bridge to the battery, through which the voltage controller and fuses pass. The battery is used to distribute alternative electricity for home.

Making a simple wind generator with your own hands

Solar panels

Plates for generating electricity using the sun

Relatively recently, mankind has learned to get free energy for the home with the help of the Sun. The resulting resource is used to heat the premises and provide it with electricity, and it is also possible to combine two processes. The benefits of solar energy include:

  1. eternity of the resource;
  2. high level of environmental friendliness;
  3. noiselessness;
  4. the possibility of processing into other alternative forms of energy.

If there is no possibility or desire to buy ready-made solar panels, then the device can be designed independently. We offer you easy installation so that you can actually test its effectiveness, and then make several of these devices and create a whole thermal station for your home.

Copper plate before solar panel assembly

So, an alternative current source can be made from a simple sheet of copper, for simple equipment we need about 45 square centimeters. First you need to cut a piece of metal to the size we need. Be guided by the fact that the sheet fits on the spiral of the electric stove. Before starting the procedure, it is important to remove excess elements from copper and eliminate defects. Then you can put the sheet on an electric stove, which should have a power of at least 1100 watts.

During the heating process, the material will change its color several times, which is associated with the peculiarities of the laws of physics and chemistry. After the copper is covered in black, mark for half an hour. After this time, the oxide layer will become thick. When making a solar alternative energy source for your home, after turning off the tile, wait a while for the copper to cool. Cooling will be needed in order for the oxide to exfoliate from the copper. When the leaf temperature of the leaf will be equal to room temperature, it is necessary to wash the material under warm water. And in no case should you separate the remains of copper oxide. The inventory of device assembly technology will prove to you that it is very easy to get alternative electricity without much effort.

First, we cut out another sheet of copper, which will correspond to the size of the processed piece. We bend both sheets and place them inside a plastic bottle, and do it in such a way that they do not touch each other. We attach crocodile clips to two plates. Now it remains only to connect the wires to the poles: the cable from “pure” copper goes to the plus, and to the minus - from the processed on the tile.

Small compact solar array

A device for generating electricity with your own hands is almost ready. At the final stage, it remains in a separate vessel to mix 3 tablespoons of salt with plain water. We stir the mixture for several minutes so that the salt is completely dissolved in the liquid, after which the resulting solution is poured into plastic bottle. If you design several such devices at once, you can get good and free alternative energy sources, made with your own hands in a short period of time. More simple homemade version to heat the room can not come up with.

Solar panels - the principle of operation and production

Getting electricity from the bowels of the earth

Laying of heat pump communications

To obtain electrical or thermal energy from the bowels of the earth, it is necessary to build a geothermal heat pump. This device is universal, it is able to extract the product we need from both soil and groundwater. Recently, this alternative form of energy has become very popular.

To get electricity from the ground, you first need to lay a pipeline. If the energy comes from water, then the heat pump is placed in a reservoir. The principle of operation of a heat pump is no different from that of a refrigerator. The only difference is that in our case, heat is not released into the environment, but is absorbed from there.

Do-it-yourself alternative sources of electricity are of four types:

  • vertical manifold. It is installed in drilled wells, the depth of each of which can be up to 150 meters. This technique is relevant when the area of ​​​​the site does not allow the installation of a horizontal heat pump;
  • Horizontal collector. For its location, you need to dig the soil over the area to a depth of one and a half meters. Do-it-yourself alternative energy obtained in this way is available for almost every private house. Experience shows that this scheme is the most effective;
  • Water collector. Relevant if there is a river or lake near the house. The pipeline must be laid at a depth that is below the freezing depth. Otherwise, you will have to install the system every year. This method of obtaining energy is considered the cheapest;
  • Groundwater collector. Obtaining alternative electricity in this way is possible only with the help of specialists. The process of laying pipes requires compliance with stringent requirements. The peculiarity of the installation is that after passing through the entire scheme, the water that has given up its heat returns to the ground. In the future, it is heated with the help of soil and becomes suitable for heating the room and generating electricity.

Advantages of heat pumps

Do-it-yourself alternative energy sources for a home, the sources of which are the bowels of the earth, have many advantages. From the first days of using heat pumps, you will be convinced that such technologies have high efficiency. Since the temperature of the soil in the wells always remains unchanged throughout the year, the source can be considered eternal. The units do not emit noise and provide the premises with thermal energy in the required volumes. Manufacturers of ground probes say that with the help of such equipment it is possible to generate electricity with your own hands for a hundred years.

There are several other important characteristics that play in favor of heat pumps:

  • no need for natural gas;
  • no harm to the environment;
  • high level of fire safety;
  • the need for a small amount of territory.

Now you know how to generate electricity at home. Having all the necessary information, you can choose the most suitable method.

How to generate electricity at home


How can you generate electricity at home. DIY alternative energy

Collecting an alternative energy source: the best ideas for a private house

In an environment where energy prices are constantly rising, the owners of private houses are more likely to think about alternative energy sources. Some homeowners do not have the ability to connect to the mains at all due to the high cost of installation work. Engineers, and craftsmen along with them, paid attention to what nature itself gives humanity and created a number of devices that you can make yourself to renew energy resources. The video will show the best practices in action.

biowaste generator

Biogas is an environmentally friendly type of fuel. It is used in the same way as natural gas. The production technology is based on the vital activity of anaerobic bacteria. Waste is placed in a container, in the process of decomposition of biological materials, gases are released: methane and hydrogen sulfide with an admixture of carbon dioxide.

This technology is actively used in China and on livestock farms in America. In order to receive continuous biogas at home, you need to have a farm or access to a free source of manure.

For the construction of such an installation, you will need a sealed container with a built-in auger for mixing, a gas outlet, a neck for loading waste and a fitting for unloading waste. The design must be perfectly sealed. If the gas is not taken off constantly, then it will be necessary to install a safety valve to relieve excess pressure so that the “roof” of the tank does not blow off. The procedure is the following.

  1. We choose a place for arranging the container. Select the size based on the amount of waste available. For effective work, it is advisable to fill it by two thirds. The tank can be metal or reinforced concrete. A large amount of biogas cannot be obtained from a small tank. 100 cubic meters of gas will come out of a ton of waste.
  2. To speed up the process of bacteria, heating of the contents will be required. It can be done in several ways: place a coil connected to the heating system under the tank or install heating elements.
  3. Anaerobic microorganisms are found in the raw material itself, at a certain temperature they become active. Automatic device in water-heating boilers, it will turn on the heating when a new batch arrives and turn it off when the waste warms up to the set temperature.

The resulting gas can be converted into electricity through a gas power generator.

Advice. Waste waste is used as compost fertilizer for garden beds.

Energy from the wind

Our ancestors have long learned to use wind energy for their needs. In principle, since then the design has not changed much. Only the millstone was replaced by a generator drive that converts the energy of the rotating blades into electricity.

To make a generator, you will need the following parts:

  • generator. Some use the motor from the washing machine, slightly transforming the rotor;
  • multiplier;
  • battery and its charge controller;
  • voltage transformer.

There are many schemes for homemade wind turbines. All of them are completed on the same principle.

  1. The frame is being assembled.
  2. The swivel is installed. Blades and a generator are mounted behind it.
  3. Mount a side shovel with a spring coupler.
  4. The generator with a propeller is attached to the frame, then it is mounted on the frame.
  5. Connect and connect to the swivel assembly.
  6. Install the current collector. Connect it to a generator. The wires lead to the battery.

Heat pump

To obtain energy from the depths of the earth, it will be necessary to build a rather complex device that will allow obtaining alternative energy from groundwater, the soil itself or from the air. Most often, such devices are used for space heating. In fact, the unit is a large refrigeration chamber, which, when the environment cools, converts energy and releases it in the form of heat with high potential. Components of the system:

  1. External and internal contour with freon.
  2. Evaporator.
  3. Compressor.
  4. Capacitor.

The collector can be installed vertically if the area of ​​​​the site does not allow a horizontal installation. Several deep wells are drilled and a contour is lowered into them. Horizontally it is placed in the ground to a depth of one and a half meters. If the house is located on the shore of a reservoir, the heat exchanger is laid in the water.

The compressor can be taken from the air conditioner. The condenser is made from a 120 l tank. A copper coil is inserted into the tank, freon will circulate through it, and the water from the heating system will begin to warm up.

The evaporator is made from plastic barrel over 130 liters. Another coil is inserted into this tank, its combination with the previous one will be carried out through the compressor. The evaporator pipe is made from a sewer pipe trim. Through the branch pipe, the flow of water from the reservoir is regulated.

The evaporator is lowered into the reservoir. Water, flowing around it, induces the evaporation of freon. The gas rises into the condenser and gives off heat to the water that surrounds the coil. The coolant circulates in the heating system, heating the room.

Advice. The temperature of the water of the reservoir does not matter, only its constant presence is important.

Solar energy - into electricity

Solar panels were first made for spacecraft. The device is based on the ability of photons to create an electric current. There are a lot of variations in the design of solar panels and every year they are improved. There are two ways to make a solar battery yourself:

Method number 1. Buy ready-made photocells, assemble a chain from them and cover the structure with a transparent material. You need to work with extreme caution, all elements are very fragile. Each photocell is marked in Volt-Amps. Calculating the required number of cells to collect the battery of the required power will not be very difficult. The sequence of work is as follows:

  • for the manufacture of the case you need a sheet of plywood. Wooden slats are nailed along the perimeter;
  • ventilation holes are drilled in the plywood sheet;
  • a fiberboard sheet with a soldered chain of photocells is placed inside;
  • performance is checked;
  • plexiglass is screwed onto the rails.

Method number 2 requires knowledge of electrical engineering. The electrical circuit is assembled from D223B diodes. Solder them in rows sequentially. Placed in a case covered with a transparent material.

Photocells are of two types:

  1. Monocrystalline plates have an efficiency of 13% and will last a quarter of a century. They work flawlessly only in sunny weather.
  2. Polycrystalline ones have a lower efficiency, their service life is only 10 years, but the power does not drop when it is cloudy. Panel area 10 sq. m. is capable of producing 1 kW of energy. When placed on the roof, it is worth considering the total weight of the structure.

Ready batteries are placed on the sunniest side. The panel must be equipped with the ability to adjust the inclination of the angle with respect to the Sun. The vertical position is set during snowfalls so that the battery does not fail.

The solar panel can be used with or without a battery. During the day, consume the energy of the solar battery, and at night - the battery. Or enjoy the day solar energy, and at night - from the central power supply network.

Homemade hydroelectric power plant

If there is a stream or reservoir with a dam on the site, an additional source of alternative electricity will be a self-made hydroelectric power station. The device is based on a water wheel, and the power will depend on the speed of the water flow. Materials for the manufacture of a generator and a wheel can be taken from a car, and scraps of a corner and metal can be found in any household. In addition, you need a piece copper wire, plywood, polystyrene resin and neodymium magnets.

  1. The wheel is made from 11 inch wheels. From steel pipe blades are made (we cut the pipe lengthwise into 4 parts). You will need 16 blades. The discs are pulled together with bolts, the gap between them is 10 inches. Blades are welded.
  2. The nozzle is made according to the width of the wheel. It is made from scrap metal, bent to size and joined by welding. The nozzle is adjusted in height. This will regulate the water flow.
  3. The axle is welded.
  4. The wheel is mounted on the axle.
  5. The winding is made, the coils are poured with resin - the stator is ready. We collect the generator. A template is made from plywood. Install magnets.
  6. The generator is protected by a metal wing from water splashes.
  7. The wheel, axle and fasteners with a nozzle are coated with paint to protect the metal from corrosion and aesthetic pleasure.
  8. Adjusting the nozzle achieves the greatest power.

Homemade devices do not require large capital investments and produce energy for free. If you combine several types of alternative sources, then such a step will significantly reduce energy costs. To assemble the unit, you only need skillful hands and a clear head.

Energy sources for the home: photo

Do-it-yourself alternative energy sources for a private house, video


Engineers have created a number of do-it-yourself devices for renewable energy. The article will talk about devices for generating energy.

DIY Alternative Energy: An Overview of the Best Renewable Electricity Sources

Today, everyone knows that the reserves of hydrocarbons on Earth have their limits. Every year it becomes more and more difficult to extract oil and gas from the bowels. In addition, their burning causes irreparable damage to the ecology of our planet. Despite the fact that renewable energy production technologies are very effective today, governments are in no hurry to abandon fuel combustion. At the same time, energy prices are rising every year, forcing ordinary citizens to fork out more and more.

In this regard, the production of alternative energy today is becoming not just an eccentricity of individual amateurs, but an occupation that is quite utilitarian and even necessary in some cases. Hundreds of thousands of owners country houses, not only in the world, but in our country, today they are happy to use "green" technologies for the production of electricity. How do-it-yourself alternative energy is produced: an overview of the best renewable sources of electricity can be seen below.

Self-generating renewable energy sources

Since ancient times, man has used in his life devices and mechanisms that were able to convert the movement of natural elements into mechanical energy. Windmills and watermills are examples. With the invention of electricity, it became possible to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy by installing a generator on the moving parts of the mechanism. Over time, these designs have been improved, and today, hydroelectric power plants and wind farms in the world generate a large amount of electricity.

In addition to water and wind, humanity has access to sunlight, energy earth's interior, biological fuel. In this regard, the following devices for generating renewable energy are used in everyday life:

  • Batteries for solar energy.
  • Thermal pump stations.
  • wind generators.
  • Installations on biogas fuel.

The industry is very sensitive to the wishes of the people and already produces many models of each of these devices. However, their prices today are such that a quick payback is out of the question. In this regard, craftsmen from the people have developed many schemes and projects by which such units can be made. Let's consider some of them.

Solar panels - a gift of space technology

Solar panels gained prominence at the beginning of the space age. They are still used today as energy sources for spacecraft and interplanetary stations. Vehicles plowing the sands of Mars are equipped with these simple devices. The Sun itself gives them its energy. The principle of operation of solar panels is based on the ability of photons, when passing through a semiconductor layer, to create a potential difference in it, which, when closed in an electrical circuit, creates an electric current.

Surprisingly, making your own solar panel is not so difficult. There are two ways to create it. The first method is simple, and anyone can handle it. You just need to purchase ready-made photocells on polycrystals or single crystals, connect them in one circuit and close them with a transparent case. These crystals are capable of capturing photons from the Sun's light and converting them into electricity. They are very fragile, therefore, in the process of manufacturing the device, precautions must be taken. Each element is marked, so its current-voltage characteristics are known. It is only necessary to collect the required number of elements to build a battery of the required power. For this:

  • A transparent frame is made of plastic, plexiglass or polycarbonate.
  • The body is cut out of plywood or plastic according to the size of this frame.
  • All crystalline elements are sequentially soldered into the circuit. Only with a series connection is an increase in the voltage in the circuit achieved. It is simply summed from all elements.
  • The photocells are placed in the frame and carefully closed, not forgetting to bring the wires out.

When choosing solar cells, one should take into account the fact that single crystals are more durable and efficient (13% efficiency), while polycrystals often break and are less efficient (9% efficiency). At the same time, the former require constant open sunlight, while the latter are content with more cloudy weather. Install the finished panel most often on the roof or on a sunlit area. The angle of inclination must be adjusted, since in winter it is better to install the panel vertically to avoid falling asleep with snow.

Solar battery installed on the roof of the building.

The second method of manufacturing solar panels is much more complicated. Some electrical skills are already required here. Instead of ready-made elements, you need to make a diode circuit. To do this, you need to purchase or collect diodes from the old technique. D223B is best suited for this purpose. They have a high voltage of 350mV in direct sunlight. That is, to generate 1V, you need only 3 such diodes. A voltage of 12V can create 36 diodes. The quantity is significant, but their cost is small, about 130 rubles per hundred, so the main problem is the duration of installation.

The diodes are soaked in acetone, after which the paint is removed from them. Then the required number of holes are drilled in the plastic blank and diodes are inserted into them. Spikes are produced sequentially in rows. The finished panel is covered with a transparent material and placed in a casing.

The scheme of manufacturing a solar battery from diodes.

As you can see, it is not so difficult to use the free energy of the Sun. It is enough to devote a little effort and money.

Heat pumps create heat from everything

The principle of their operation is based on Carnot cycles. In simpler terms, this is a large refrigerator, which, when the environment cools, takes low-potential energy from it and converts it into high-potential heat. Environment can be any: earth, water, air. At any time of the year, they contain a small proportion of heat. The device has a rather complex device and consists of several main components:

  • External circuit filled with natural coolant.
  • Internal circuit with water.
  • Evaporator.
  • Compressor.
  • Capacitor.

Freon is used in the system, as in the refrigerator. The outer circuit can be placed in a water well or in an open body of water. Sometimes this circuit is even simply buried in the ground, but this is costly.

Consider the process of self-manufacturing a heat pump. The first step is to get a compressor. You can remove it from the air conditioner. It will be enough power for heating 9.7 kW.

The compressor from the air conditioner with a power of 9.7 kW is perfect for creating a heat pump.

The second important detail is the capacitor. It can be made from a conventional tank with a volume of 120 liters. The main thing is that it is not subject to corrosion. The tank is cut into two parts and a copper coil is inserted inside. Two-inch connections are attached to the coil outlets for mounting the circuit. The tank is welded with welding machine. The area of ​​the coil must be calculated in advance according to the formula: PZ = MT / 0.8RT, where: PZ - the area of ​​​​the coil; MT - The power of thermal energy that the system produces, kW; 0.8 - coefficient of thermal conductivity when water flows around copper; RT is the difference between the inlet and outlet water temperatures in degrees Celsius. The coil can be made independently by winding the pipe on any cylinder. Freon will circulate inside it, and water from the heating system will circulate in the tank. It will heat up when freon condenses.

Heat pump condenser coil.

For the manufacture of the evaporator will need plastic container having a volume of at least 130 liters. The mouth of this tank should be wide. A coil is also placed in it, which will be connected to the previous one in a single circuit through a compressor. The outlet and inlet of the evaporator are made using a conventional sewer pipe. Water from a reservoir or well will flow through it, which has enough energy to evaporate freon.

What does a heat pump evaporator look like?

Such a system works as follows: the evaporator is placed in a reservoir or well. Water, bending around it, causes the evaporation of the refrigerant, which rises through the pipes from the evaporator to the condenser. There it condenses, giving off heat to the water surrounding the coil. This water circulates through the heating pipes with the help of centrifugal pump heating the room. The refrigerant is again sent to the evaporator by the compressor, and the cycle repeats again and again.

Scheme of operation of the heat pump "water-water".

The unit considered by us is able to heat a room of 60 m2 at any time of the year. In this case, energy is taken from the environment.

Descendants of windmills that generate kilowatts

There is nothing complicated in the device of windmills. No wonder our ancestors used wind energy so routinely. Basically nothing has changed. Simply, instead of the millstones of the mill, a drive was installed on the generator, which converts the rotational energy of the blades into electricity.

This is what most modern wind turbines look like.

For the manufacture of a wind generator you will need: a high tower, blades, a generator and a storage battery. It is also necessary to come up with a simple system for controlling and distributing electricity. Consider one of the ways to build a windmill yourself.

We will not focus on the structure of the tower and blades, there is nothing complicated here for someone who understands at least something in mechanics. Let's take a look at the generator. You can, of course, purchase a ready-made generator with the necessary parameters, but our task is to create a windmill on our own. If you have an engine from an old washing machine and it works, then the matter is solved. We will need to convert it into a generator. To do this, we will purchase neodymium magnets.

The generator rotor is bored on lathe making holes for the magnets. We glue magnets on them with superglue. We wrap the rotor in paper, and fill the distance between the magnets with epoxy. When it dries, we remove the paper, and grind the rotor with sandpaper. Attention! To prevent the magnets from sticking, they must be installed with a slight inclination. Now, when the rotor rotates, the magnets will form a potential difference, which is removed using the terminals.

This is how magnets are glued to the rotor of the washing machine motor.

Biogas generator will create energy from waste

Man in the course of his life produces a huge amount of organic waste. This is especially true near large cities or livestock complexes. If these wastes are placed in an anaerobic environment, then the process of their decomposition begins with the release of a mixture of combustible gases: methane, hydrogen sulfide with carbon dioxide impurities. All of them, except for the last one, are excellent fuel, although they have an unpleasant odor.

In order to make a generator for biofuel, you will need a sealed closed tank. An auger is mounted in it, with which the waste will be periodically mixed, a branch pipe through which the waste will be unloaded and a neck for loading them. In addition, a branch pipe is welded in the upper part of the tank to take the released biogas and discharge it to the consumer.

It is best to bury this structure in the ground and make it completely airtight. This will facilitate efficient gas extraction without leakage. Since the container is sealed, the gas flow must be constant, otherwise, it is recommended to make a safety valve that will open when the permissible pressure is exceeded. Recycled waste is excellent fertilizer for the garden.

Construction of a biogas generator.

The simplest design of this installation allows you to create it from almost any available materials. It is very widespread in China. However, it is worth observing safety measures, since biogas is very flammable and toxic. Most biogas comes from a mixture of animal waste and silage. Poured into the tank warm water, which starts the process of decomposition of the substrate.

A review of the best renewable electricity sources has shown that do-it-yourself alternative energy is not such a fad. It can be obtained literally from nothing and in sufficient quantities for household consumption.

DIY Alternative Energy: An Overview of the Best Renewable Electricity Sources


How do-it-yourself alternative energy is produced: an overview of the best renewable sources of electricity.