Pedal / hand-crank generator

Very low output, but a genuinely zero-fuel, zero-sun/wind-dependent backup for small emergency loads.

Cost
Low
Upkeep
Occasional
Skill to build
Basic
Lifespan
15-25 years for a simple mechanical hand-crank generator with minimal electronics
Embodied carbon
Low
Space / material use
Low
Output timing
On-demand/controllable
Skill to repair
Basic

Note: Cost, carbon and footprint are rated against the other options for this same need, not in absolute terms.

Inputs

Outputs

Sources

Tutorials

What this page does not tell you

No sizing or quantities: how much a technique yields, and how much a household needs, both depend on the build and the people, so the catalogue compares options rather than dimensioning them. It carries no bill of materials and no build sequence, and it is written for an oceanic, clay-soil climate (Normandy, France). Regulatory notes are indicative and need confirming locally.