How to Generate Your Own Electricity (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

As part of the drive for energy independence, generating your own electricity is one of the best things you can do. With the electricity you generate, you can run your garage gate, light and power an outbuilding, sell energy to your electricity company to save on your bill, charge your car battery, or live completely independent of the national grid. Read on for some great ideas on how to do this.

Steps

Part 1 of 5: Harnessing Solar Energy

Step 1. Learn about solar panels

Solar panels are a common solution and have many benefits. They work in most parts of the world, they are a modular solution that can be expanded according to your needs, and there are many tested and working versions.

• Panels should face south to better capture sunlight (north in the southern hemisphere, upwards near the equator). The exact angle will need to be adjusted according to your latitude. You can use the panels in sunny places for most of the year.
• Fixed panels can be mounted on a freestanding structure (which can contain batteries and control systems) or placed on an existing roof. They are easy to maintain and assemble when placed close to the ground, and have no moving parts. Floating panels follow the sun and are more efficient, but can be a more expensive solution than adding a few more panels to a fixed installation to make up the difference. They have moving parts that are easily damaged by weather and wear.
• Just because a solar panel is rated 100 watts doesn't mean it will guarantee that power on all occasions. The actual power will be determined by the assembly, the climate and the season.

Step 2. Start small

Get a solar panel or two to get started. It is possible to install the components in stages, so you won't have to face all the costs in one go. Many rooftop photovoltaic systems can be expanded - please inquire at the time of purchase. Buy a system that can grow with your needs.

Step 3. Learn how to maintain your system

Like anything else, if you don't take care of it, it will fall apart. Decide how long it will last. Saving a few euros today may cost you a lot tomorrow. Invest in the maintenance of your system, and you will save in the long run.

Try to set aside a budget for long-term system maintenance expenses. Running out of funds in the middle of the project is a situation to be avoided

Step 4. Decide what type of system to install

Consider if you want an independent solution or if you want to connect your system to the network. An independent electricity system is the best in terms of sustainability; you will know the source of each watt you will use. A grid-connected system will offer you stability and security, and may even give you the ability to sell energy to the power company. If you are connected to the grid, but manage the energy as if you were independent, you can even generate a small profit.

Contact your electricity company and ask for information on private electricity generation. They may offer incentives and advise you which company to entrust to build the plant

Part 2 of 5: Using Alternative Systems

Step 1. Learn about wind turbines

They are also perfect solutions in many places. In some cases they can be more cost-effective than solar panels.

• You can use a homemade turbine made from an old car alternator. You will find the projects on the internet. It is not recommended for beginners, but good results can be achieved. There are also relatively inexpensive commercial solutions.
• There are downsides to wind energy too. You may have to place the turbines very high up for them to work well, and they may not be frowned upon by your neighbors. The birds may not see them at all until it is too late.

• Wind power requires fairly constant wind. Open and desolate areas are ideal because they do not have many elements that can block the wind. Energy is often used effectively to supplement a solar or water system.

  

  Step 2. Learn about micro-water generators

  There are many types of micro-water technologies available, ranging from a homemade powertrain connected to a car's alternator to robust and intricate engineering systems. If you have a property near a river, it can be an efficient and independent solution.

  

  Step 3. Try a combined system

  You can always combine these systems, to make sure you have the energy you need to power your home at all times of the year.

  

  Step 4. Consider purchasing a standalone generator

  If you are not connected to a grid, or if you want to make sure you have a reserve in emergency situations, you may need a generator. You can fuel them with many different fuels and they come in many sizes and capacities.

  • Many generators react very slowly to changes in load (turning on a device that consumes a lot can cause a blackout).

    The small generators available from hardware stores are only suitable in an emergency. They will spoil when used for daily feeding

  • Large generators for homes cost a lot. They can be powered by petrol, diesel and LPG, and usually have a self-starting system that activates them in the event of disconnection from the grid. If you are going to install one, be sure to rely on a licensed professional and follow all applicable rules. If installed incorrectly, they could cause electric shock to an uninformed electrician of their presence.
  • RV, caravan or slings generators are generally small, quiet, meant for constant use, and are much cheaper. They are powered by petrol, diesel or LPG, and are intended to be used for consecutive hours for several years.

  

  Step 5. Avoid CHP systems

  Cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP) systems generate energy from the heat produced by steam, and are obsolete and inefficient. While there are supporters of these systems, you should avoid them.

  Part 3 of 5: Getting the Right Materials

  

  Step 1. Search for the right products

  There are many distributors offering different products and services in the field of renewable energy and some of these solutions will be better suited to your needs than others.

  

  Step 2. Do your research

  If you are interested in a specific product, compare prices on the net before speaking to a retailer.

  

  Step 3. Get expert advice

  Find someone you trust who can help you make the right choices. There are honest dealers and others who are not. Find do-it-yourself and similar communities on the internet to ask for advice to protect yourself from rogue dealers.

  

  Step 4. Consider incentives

  Remember to ask about possible state or local incentives when shopping. There are many initiatives that will save you on the cost of installation or offer you tax deductions.

  

  Step 5. Get help from a professional

  Not all businesses are equally qualified to install these systems. Only work with experienced dealers and installers who are licensed to work with the best equipment.

  Part 4 of 5: Prepare for the Worst

  

  Step 1. Find out about insurance for larger installations

  Your current property contract may not cover damages in the event of a system breakdown and this could cause you great sorrow.

  

  Step 2. Contact a professional maintainer and build a good relationship with him

  If you are not an expert in the field, do not hesitate to ask for help.

  

  Step 3. Think about your backup energy plan

  The natural elements exploited by an independent plant are not reliable. The sun doesn't always shine, the wind doesn't always blow, and the water doesn't always flow fast enough.

  • Using a system connected to the grid is the cheapest solution for many people, especially those who are already customers of an electricity company. Usually people install an energy source, and connect the plant to the grid. When the plant does not produce enough energy, the grid completes the demand, and when the energy produced is in excess, it is transferred to the grid. Larger systems can always produce more than they consume.
  • If there is not already an electrical connection to your home, it can be much more expensive to connect to the grid than to produce and store your own energy.

  

  Step 4. Learn about energy storage

  A common solution for storing energy at home are deep cycle lead acid batteries. Each battery type requires a different charge cycle, so make sure the charger can handle your battery type and is configured correctly to do so.

  Part 5 of 5: Using and Choosing Batteries

  

  Step 1. Get batteries of the same type

  Batteries cannot be mixed and matched as desired, and generally new batteries of the same type cannot be combined with older batteries.

  

  Step 2. Calculate how many batteries you will need

  Deep cycle accumulators are rated by amp hours. If you want to get the equivalent kilowatt hours, multiply the number of volts (12 or 24) by the amp hours and divide by a thousand. To get amp hours from kilowatt hours, multiply by a thousand and divide by 12. If your daily consumption is 1 KWh, you will need about 83 amp hours of 12-fold storage, but you will need five times more storage to not drain the batteries more than 20%, about 400 amp hours.

  

  Step 3. Choose the battery type

  There are many different types of batteries, and it is important to choose the best one. Figuring out the best solution for your home can make a huge difference.

  • Wet cells are the most common. They need maintenance (they open so that distilled water can be inserted), and they need an occasional equalization charge to clear the sulfur from the plates and bring all cells to the same condition. Some wet cells have 2, 2 independent cells that can be replaced if they fail. "Maintenance-free" batteries will lose water due to evaporation, and eventually the cells will dry out.
  • Gel batteries are not repairable, and do not respond well to charging problems. A charger adjusted for a wet cell will burn the gel from the plates and form a gap between the electrolytes and the plates. When a cell has overcharged, the whole battery is broken. As part of a small plant they work quite well, but are not suitable for large plants.
  • AGM (absorbent glass mat) batteries are more expensive than other types and require no maintenance. If charged correctly, and not subjected to too deep discharge cycles they will last a very long time, and will not be able to leak liquids - even if you hit them with a hammer. They will still lose gas if overcharged.
  • Car batteries are only good for cars. Car batteries are not suitable for systems that require deep cycle batteries.
  • Marine batteries are usually a hybrid of starter and deep cycle batteries. They work well on a boat, but not in a home rig.

  

  Step 4. Get some batteries even if you have a generator

  Even with a generator, batteries are needed in an off-grid system. Charging the batteries will ensure a reasonable load for the generator to make it work at maximum efficiency. If a generator were to power only the lights in the house it would work at light load, a condition of poor efficiency for most generators.

  

  Step 5. Maintain and inspect your batteries

  Batteries and their connections need routine checks. You can have them done by a professional but you can also learn how to do it yourself.

  Advice

  • In all remote places that are not already connected to the network, the connection cost can be higher than the cost of the independent installation.
  • Deep cycle batteries will not perform well if they are discharged more than 20% frequently. If you do frequent discharge cycles, the life of the batteries will be very short. If you do shallow cycles in most cases and deep cycles only occasionally their life will be very prolonged.
  • It is possible to create a common facility with neighbors to share expenses and costs.

  • If you do not think it is a solution justified by the savings, think about these aspects.

    • No bills
    • Calm
    • No external cables running into your property
    • Being able to brag to friends
  • If you have access to running water, micro-water generators can perform better than combined solar and wind generators.
  • Making an independent electrical system for your home is not impossible if you know electrical engineering and electrical circuits.

  Warnings

  • Make sure your insurance covers the system you are installing.

  • If you have no knowledge of electrical engineering or are unfamiliar with safety measures, consider this article as a series of tips to give to those who will do the job.

    • You could cause serious damage to your property.
    • You could cause serious injury and death.
    • Short-circuited or unventilated batteries can explode.
    • Batteries that contain acid can cause severe burns and blindness.
    • Even direct current at these amperes can stop your heart or cause severe burns if you wear jewelry near the electrocution point.
    • If the power reaches the electrical panel, make sure that this is very clearly indicated, otherwise an electrician could be electrocuted if he thinks the panel is out of power once the connection to the grid has been disconnected.
    • Don't mess with electricity.

  • Check zoning regulations and laws before installing the system.

    • You may not have permission to install solar panels on the roof for aesthetic and landscaping reasons.
    • You may not have permission to install wind turbines for landscape and noise reasons.
    • If the water running on your property is not private, you may need a permit to install a water system.
  • There are systems that include more renewable energies, but they are usually small or very expensive.