Renewable Energy | Wind | Solar | Micro-Hydro Micro-Hydro generators use the kinetic energy in falling water to drive a small water wheel at high speed to make electricity. With a suitable and reliable creek then a micro hydro unit is the cheapest form of renewable energy. The average micro hydro unit can be one tenth the cost of a solar power system of similar size. Hydro also has a major advantage in terms of continuity of supply Because the power comes 24 hours a day, battery banks can be reduced in size. Solar only generates when the sun shines. There are two common types of wheel The Pelton Wheel and The Turgo Wheel. They are very similar in design. These turbines are known as impulse trubines as the water is shot from a small nozzle onto the water wheel, spinning it at high revs. The most important elements with micro hydro are creek flow and the amount of fall or head available. Most Micro Hydro units rely on having a fairly high head but can manage with a low flow. Depending on the site then the civil works in creating intakes and outlets may cause minimal site disturbance.