[KingM]

As background, I own an inn in Vermont with energy usage of 2000-5000 KWH per month from the grid and am thinking of installing a microhydro system to offset some of this usage. I have a stream on one side with ~1000 cfs with 20-25 feet of head and a river on the other with ~4000 cfs and 5-8 feet of head. Unfortunately, I don't own the land on the other side of either river.

Here are some questions for people with experience in installing your own microhydro and/or are knowledgeable about this sort of thing.

1. Are there legal/environmental issues with diverting, say 200 gallons/minute from the river and does the fact that I only own the land on one side impact this at all?

2. I've found pricing and information on various generators and equipment, but how expensive is it to hire someone to lay pipe, build the penstock, install the machinery, etc.?

3. I'm assuming that all things being equal, 20 feet of head X 200 gallons would be superior to 5 feet of head X 800 gallons. I'm speaking, of course, not of potential power but the practical considerations of the system (i.e. longer but narrower pipes, a smaller turbine, etc.) Is this an accurate assessment?

My hope is that I could put in a system for, say, $10,000 and with net metering that can span a 12 month period of time, completely eliminate several hundred dollars worth of electricity usage per month. Does this sound realistic?

[rdsaltpower]

Go to therpower.com and look under the hydro section, They can help you

[KingM]

chirp...chirp...chirp

Doesn't anyone have practical experience with microhydro?

(PS, I've been to otherpower.com and it doesn't have much to help me answer these questions)

[JRP3]

Maybe here? http://microhydropower.net/
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/microhydro/

[JohnFarson1973]

Try [web]http://www.homepower.com[/web]--they seem to have a lot of good information on all kinds of alternative energy sources.