The most power for your dollar!

Flowing water has potential energy that is converted into electric energy through the use of a turbine or water wheel. The amount of energy you can produce is dependent upon two variables. The first being the fall, or drop in the stream/river, and the second being the volume measured in cubic feet per second or gallons per minute.

In our experience, we’ve found for hydro turbines a fall of at least 20 feet is optimal. Below 20 feet there are other options, which include the jack rabbit generator, low fall generators, and water wheels.

Everybody remembers what water wheels are; they have been around over thousands of years. In the early days of the pioneer northwest, many homesteaders used water wheels to power their sawmills and wheat mills. Because of the torque water wheels produce they were excellent candidates for mechanical energy, but they are also excellent at producing electricity when properly designed and geared right. Further, they can work efficiently off as little as 10 feet of head. We enjoy the look of a rugged water wheel far over the turbines, and ironically since we build these water wheels “in house” the price is comparable to that of a turbine.

A good rule of thumb: If you have at least 10 foot of head and 50 gpm to play with, we can make a very efficient water wheel that will be able to supply most of your energy needs.