It sounds much more complicated than it was. First, I had to decide what alternative energy system to use. Solar was an option for part of the time but there isn’t a ton of sun. I did some math and figured that solar panels would provide about 25% of my energy needs.

Due to some unique geological formations, wind power in my area was a realistic possibility. Average wind speeds were about 12 mph, and my home site was far enough out of the woods that a wind turbine would be able to work without interference from the trees.

I priced out some of the basic solutions from commercial providers and quickly found out that this wasn’t really an economical way to go. I could spend a fortune and get a custom built wind generator system but I didn’t have that kind of money to spend.

I went looking for other options. I looked at used wind power turbines but they were too unreliable. I found a great barely used system in the classifieds but it was sold before I could get to it. I didn’t know what to do.

Then I ran into an old friend of mine who shared my passion for green technologies and alternate energy and he told me that he’d bought a package that let him build his own small off grid wind power system and that it even had plans for DIY solar panels as well!

I was sold. The last thing I wanted to do was go see what he’d put together. I packed up the car, picked up my sons, and headed for a visit!

Click here to see the package that Colin bought that solved my alternative energy problems too!