Ads like these are all over the Internet these days:

"FINALLY REVEALED: The secrets to making your own solar and wind power for less than $200."
“Hi, my name is xxxxx and I'm going to help YOU reduce your power bill by 80% or even eliminate it completely. Not only that, if you create more energy than you use, your power company will actually pay you! After 15 years in the renewable energy industry I know what works and I know how you can start saving money.”

By Dan Fink
Otherpower co-owner, Huffington Post blogger.
Originally published by the Huffington Post.

Amidst much media buzz about efficient new lighting technologies and a general uproar about government light bulb "bans" worldwide, the most fundamental rule for saving energy on lighting seems to be fading: Make only as much of the right kind of light as you need, and shine it only where you need it. That's the key to saving money on your lighting bill.

It's getting really, really difficult to find a decent gas can anymore. The old kind, with a vent cap on the back, and a flexible plastic nozzle to pour from.

Living off the grid, gasoline cans are in important part of life. Gas for the portable jobsite generator, chainsaw, weed whacker, snowmobile, and fire pump, extra for long 4WD trips in remote areas, I need to carry gas around!

Now we are stuck with engineering FAILS like this:

And this:

Thanks to our educational sponsor Etesian Technolgies for donating the equipment to make this data acquisition installation possible!

Our friends at Midnite Solar are extremely supportive of do-it-yourself renewable energy enthusiasts, which is one reason we are pleased to have them as an educational sponsor.

Too many pictures to share so I'm going to post this in parts. Check out parts 2 and 3 at left.

Early in May we were invited to teach workshops in Chadron Nebraska. We had lots of help too, including:

Amy Sue from WI

Roy R from Long Island (electronbaby on fieldlines.com): http://windsine.org/

Marc S from Chadron NE: http://www.windfarmer.us/