Will Hydropower Work for Me?

Hydropower is very much location-specific.

Even if a water source runs nearby, most homes will not have access to a suitable resource.

To be suitable for electricity generation, a water source needs to have a combination of:

• Flow – how much water is flowing per second.


• Head – a difference in height over a reasonably short distance.

Also, if the water flow is minimal in summer, the system might not work as well.

Financial Information

Costs for installing a hydro system vary, mainly depending on the location and equipment required.



• Micro-hydro costs run from $1,500 to $4,000 per kilowatt of installed capacity.


• A fully functioning system that can power an average household costs around $20,000. This cost can increase or decrease based on location and the system’s capacity.


• Maintenance costs also vary but are usually low.




Your installer will predict how much electricity can be generated.

Maintenance

Once installed, most systems can last 40-50 years, with low running and maintenance costs, and could last longer if well maintained.

There is potential for damage by debris carried downstream at times of flood; however, screening the intake should minimize this risk.

Incentives

There are many federal incentives for hydropower, unlike other some other renewable energy sources.

State and Local Incentives:
Many states offer various incentives for micro-hydro installations, ranging from:

• 1. Financial Rebates: Covers a portion of the upfront installation costs.


• 2. Tax Credits: Reduce your tax burden for installing a system.


• 3. Net Metering: Sell excess electricity back to the grid.


• 4. Feed-in Tariffs: Guaranteed purchase rates for electricity the utility company generates.