Microhydro system /off grid

Donald,

Hydro systems only work if you have a "free" continuous supply of water. Unless you have a perpetual motion machine, you will be using more energy to pump the water back into the tank than you will get from it.

Old fashioned lead acid batteries are still the most economical method of storing any excess energy that you produce, and I think they only return about 80% of what you put into them.

What exactly are you trying to achieve with renewable energy?

   your on the same thinking as me....heres the plan:3 1000 gallon tanks 2 hydro turbines...the first tank is filled full and sits at the top of the second tank water runs in constantly to second tank through turbine. the the first turbine only supplies power to house inverter. the second tank is at most always half full.the second tank sits at the top of the third tank the second hydro turbine only runs the pump that only pumps when the third tank is 1/3 full or 1/2 ...this is accomplished using a float switch the third tank pumps the water back to the first
   i dont have the funds to test this but would like to see it done