Can you Build a Low Cost Wind Turbine or Solar Panel?

EarthForEnergy sells a handy e-book on how to make your own wind turbine or solar panel for under $200. In addition, the e-book is accompanied by two installation videos. Watch the short video above as Wayne from the Company walks you through building the guts of the wind turbine. I had no idea at the time  I was watching this video that this Company sold a how to manual, and was looking forward to seeing how they made the propellers and mounting  it.

When I went to their site, I found that they sell a kit for $49.97 which walks you through the process. The Company touts that their product is a #1 Rated Site as seen on such names as  Google, CNN and the NY Times.  Unfortunately, I could not find any of these articles.  What does that mean #1 rated on Google?  Buying keywords?  Not a good sign.

According to the website, you can build a  wind generator  for $100 and a solar generator for $150. How much power can the solar or wind generator make? According to the FAQs:

“Our aim is to produce 500 watts of power by using blades that are 8 feet in diameter with wind speeds of 20 miles per hour. You can join multiple windmills together for more power. This is explained in the book.

Note, the website does not provide an output chart.  Any third party verification?  Don’t know.

The minute I saw 20 miles an hour to produce 500 watts, I said to myself,  hold on there.  A 20 mile wind is not realistic.   Some small wind generators rate how much kilowatts they produce based upon a 12 mile an hour wind.  Is this 500 watts a day, month or  year? How many watts would it generate based on 12 miles an hour? What could this generator power?  Do you need an acre of land as required by small stream wind turbines? Do you still have to buy an inverter? Plus, this is 500 watts not kilowatts.  What the heck can you power with 500 watts? A couple of light bulbs?  Lots of questions.

As for the solar:

“Our manual provides instructions to build 100 watt panels and you also get the instructions so you can join multiple panels together to raise the output to 1000 watts +.”

What was my first thought. Scam, but I remained open-minded and scoured the internet looking to find people who either built their own and displayed it in a video or on their website. I could not find it.

What I did find is the above video, in which the above purchaser quickly shows you what is offered if you buy the kit.

Still searching for the testimonials, I found a review of the product in which Michelle, the reviewer, says they built a solar panel in an hour. However, you never see the panel.

I finally found an interesting review from Consumer Reports’ Webwatch’s blog, the UnSponsored Link, which the reviewer questioned the credibility of the website.   Worth reading.

I also want to note that the Company has an affiliate marketing program.  So, readers, I am turning to you. Can someone tell me if these is the real deal or a scam?  Something does not sound right here.

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