We all consume electric energy every day, whether through the use of gadgets, computers, CD or DVD systems, televisions or home heating and air conditioning systems. We have all become accustomed to needing and consuming power, yet most of us have never considered making "homemade electricity."

Did you know that it is possible to build your own electric generator? But before we look into the "hows" and "whys", let’s talk about electricity.

Electricity is a form of energy just like heat and light. Most naturally occurring electric sources, however, produce very little power. For example the static electricity that makes the hair on your arm stand up is a very minimal energy source. However, one basic law about energy is that it can be converted from one form to another. So, our electric energy is just a product of converting any energy source to electricity. And because of that, we can miniaturize electric power generation.

Using solar panels is the most common way to produce homemade electricity. A solar panel consists of photovoltaic cells, or in simple terms, light energy to electricity converters. The sun’s light rays activate the photovoltaic cells which produce voltage. The voltage produced from each cell is relatively small, so the cells are either connected in series or parallel in order to produce the desired voltage level. Solar panels have drawbacks though. First is that they are very expensive to buy. Secondly, they have a low efficiency rating compared to other electric generators. So if you plan to produce your homemade electricity using purchased solar panels, be prepared to pay.

Another common way to produce homemade electricity is to convert wind to electricity. A wind turbine or generator is used for this method. Basically, a wind generator is a dynamo (the general name for any motor or generator) connected to a turbine that is rotated by the force of the wind. The wind turbine collects the wind energy, while the dynamo converts the mechanical force of the wind to electricity. If a dynamo converts electrical energy to mechanical energy, it is a motor. If it converts mechanical energy to electricity, it is a generator. Compared to solar panels, wind generators provide a relatively higher efficiency. Remember though, that the wind turbine must be oriented where the wind is strongest for better electricity production.

Solar panels will not produce electricity if there is no sunlight, and wind generators need wind. Storing their generated energy in a battery is one solution to this problem. Care must be properly observed when using batteries, especially those with high "mAh" ratings. When short-circuited, they can produce fatal levels of current.

There are several viable options for creating your own homemade electricity. It is just a matter of a little research, a little trial-and-error, and of course a little patience before you can generate practical amounts of electric energy. Just remember to take safety precautions when dealing with electricity. You don’t want to fry your Ipod, or worse – fry yourself!

There is a third option for producing homemade electricity, by building a magnetic generator using magnets. Visit our website to learn more.