Started reading about it today. Some land that Mrs B and I are purchasing has a small stream that flows year-round.

Anybody here have experience with micro-hydro?

like a generator attached to a water wheel?? the idea has crossed my mind but I haven't put much thought into it.

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Can you describe what you have in mind? Small dam with a diversion thru a wheel? How many cfs in the stream?

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I'm thinking Pelton wheel. Good for small applications. I would think a pond and a creek to power a wheel requires major landscaping, permission for dam, etc.

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Botnst,
You appear a smart enough guy to do some basic feasibility calcs.
A fall of at least 6' is necessary if you wish to produce anything worthwhile. If this stream has a waterfall on your place then you are in good shape.
The flow rate will be important depending on how much electricity you wish to harvest. Its kind of pointless if you can only just light 1 globe.
Most year 11 & 12 Physics students should be able to do the calculations or if you can give me your best estimate of the height & flow rate of the water, I would be happy to give you an indication of how much power you can get.

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do a search on "very low head turbine", there are some really good designs out there if you have enough flow qty

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If enough elevation drop across the property is present. You pick up at the highest point with a pipe and discharge lower. Thats if enough flow and head for the pipe is there. Saves building dams etc. So it seriously depends what is there.

I only got involved in one once. Side of a very large hill. We did not measure the velocity out the nozzle but it was powerful. I have never been back to see how and if he harnessed it. Could have drove a small tubine easily. This approach when possible saves all kinds of grief like washed out dams.

Check the laws in the area regarding the stream. I know in western WA, any stream that provided habitat for salmon or drained directly into a salmon stream (so basically any stream) was off-limits for any kind of modification except under very strict EPA supervision. Seasonal streams are much more lax in their regulations, but still are regulated.

regulation and zoning are your biggest hurtles I would imagine. Diverting streams doesn't make towns too happy.

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If someone feels their water source is being corrupted in some way, won't be the govt. finding out, it will be fellow property owners one is up against.

Whiskey's fer drinkin,' water's fer fightin.'

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http://www.microhydropower.com/Low%20Head.htm

Try checking out Home Power magazine - seems to be the main alt energy magazine, especially for the DIY'er. You can download full issues online from their website.

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How much power is the real question- I looked into submerged turbines intended for boating, as simple solar panels can be combined for 12v supply. It all depends on flow and debris management.

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My experience with a few types of alternate energy systems is loss of efficiency with time. The power from a brook is perhaps one that does not age or ages little. I personally like it where practical.

I expect solar cells to have this aging issue as well. Solar cells are also expensive. We have the equipment to produce them for ourselves and may try. Depends on what the various substrates are and their costs. The main issue is getting the time to do these things.