I guess I'm guilty of not using this thread, but I don't think it was here when I first started the project.
Few months ago I started with solar cells, NiMh batteries, and a night switch. All the questions I had went to the 'projects' catagory. Basically, I needed a 9 volt solar garden light type set up to run several night time ideas I have.
The solar/battery section isn't really the biggest concern, there is plenty of information on such small scale projects.
For 'Alternative Energy', I would think on a grander scale. Solar panels to power much in my house would be cost prohibitive. How much to power this computer, CRT, laserprinter? I'm guessing $2k+. Basically if you've money sitting around, and years to wait for it to pay for it self...
Wind power... Here in Florida we kind of go from one extreme to the other in that department. Its either little or no breeze at all (and hot as hell), or it's a huricane. Even the rainy season thunderstorms can kick up some very strong winds. On the average, it wouldn't be to reliable and very low yield around here prone to frequent costly repairs.
Hydroelectric? We really don't have rivers and streams around here. Mostlly they are more like canals, used to regulate the levels of the lakes (mostly man made...).
So, where does this leave me, when it comes to affordable alternative energy? This is why a lot of people are going to stumble on these cheap to build 'free-energy' schemes, and want to know more, or get a better educated veiw on the design, before investing time and money.
Alternative Energy = Free/Cheap Energy, and this is the basis/hook for almost every scam out there, people hope to get something for nothing.
If you want to keep this thread going, you need to quit complaining and start educating. This forum can't be your only source of information. When you read something interesting, post the link. If someone post something you believe fictional or a scam, research it and post links.
I do believe there are other energy sources out there besides what we currently pay for, or generally have access to. Remember the 'Cold-Fusion' stir we had a few years ago? Was this actually a hoax? Or did they get paid off? The hydrogen fuel cell, remember a lot of skeptics back in the early days, now cars running on water...
Point is, don't be so arguementitve, you have the right to your opinion (in America anyway...), and so do everyone else. Just because something seems to be fictional, goesn't always make it so. Truth is, there is going to be a lot of strange and amazing claims in Alternative Energy, most are going to be hoaxes or scams, and it sucks doing research over nothing. If you don't understand something, check it out before you spout off.