Lately, I’ve been tinkering with small-scale hydropower setups think mini generators for streams or even backyard water features. It’s a fun way to merge my interest in sustainability with hands-on projects, and I’m curious if anyone here has turned this into a side hustle.
Has anyone built and sold small hydro systems, or found creative ways to monetize this kind of DIY energy? I’d love to hear about your experiences, especially if you’ve tackled challenges like permits, efficiency tweaks, or finding buyers. Also, any tips on keeping costs low while maintaining reliability would be awesome.
Bonus points if you’ve paired this with another passion I’ve been experimenting with using excess power for fermentation setups, but that’s a story for another thread!
OMG YES!!! I built a tiny hydro setup for my neighbor’s koi pond and sold it for $200!!! Permits were a nightmare though Pairing it with fermentation is GENIUS I used extra power for a mini fridge to brew kombucha!!! SO FUN!!! Cost-saving tip: scavenge old bike parts for turbines!!! Works like a charm and saves $$$!!!
I turned my creek into a power plant and now my neighbors pay me in cookies! Permits were a nightmare though apparently, the government frowns on “rogue hydro engineers.”