a few crazy thoughts that just arrived...

[DanG]

Costco had a couple of wind based generators on their website not too long ago. If I recall correctly, they were designed for boats, but I'm sure you could use them at home, just need to tinker a bit.

[Pescador]

Speaking of crazy thoughts, would solar panels work with light spilled from reef lighting? Visions of panels lining a light hood.

[spreerider]

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.

[Trigger Man]

Originally Posted by Pescador

Speaking of crazy thoughts, would solar panels work with light spilled from reef lighting? Visions of panels lining a light hood.

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.

[michika]

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?

[untamed]

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.

[Okguy]

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.