it would generate some dc power but you could only use it to charge a battery or something similar then use an inverter to power a device, not very efficient but possible
the initial cost would probably not be worth the possible savings.

I like the idea of trying to run a small generator using the flow to the sump, especially if the sump is in the basement... Could certainly trickle charge a deep cycle battery or two as a backup. Can Tire seems to be hot on the solar/wind bandwagon and from some of the news bites I've seen, there are a number of companies working on more efficient solar panel production.

The government needs to get with the program and offer more incentives for the average schmoe to acquire this technology without breaking the bank. But all they can come up with is another tax...carbon, he he. Just got my Terasen Gas bill and I'm now privileged to pay not only a "Clean Energy Levy", but also the new Carbon Tax. Did I mention the GST?? On the bright side, there's no PST there, I guess the CEL & CT are the provinces way of chipping away at my income. Ok, got that out of my system...

Using solar panels to work of he spilled lighting would save us all tonnes of money.
Brian you may have just stumbled onto the next million dollar idea.

This is an awesome thread, and the ideas that are popping up here have lots of potential benefits.

Did this kick off because I posted that solar tube thread?

Sorry...no, for some reason I was thinking about hydro electric power generation and my mind wandered....so I wrote it down and this thread was born. Yes, it is interesting.

We are thinking of setting something like this at our cabin.

http://energy.saving.nu/hydroenergy/small.shtml

It may be possible on your system but I'm guessing you would need to find a generator that wouldn't leach any toxins into your tank. It would also not be a permanent solution. The energy required to pump the water up to your tank would be greater than the power generated by the turbine (at least I think it would be). But it would be a great way to keep a battery charged longer during power outages.