I started like you - interest and questions.
What you need to do first is look at yourself so to speak. You mention wind and solar. Do you live somewhere that has sustained wind most of the year? If you live in a poor wind area take less interest in wind but don't abandon it. To answer this you should be able to study this aspect via the Internet and the US of A weather services.
How skilled are you in metalwork, woodwork and electronics? Are you capable of teaching yourself these subjects via the Internet and special interest books?
Do you live in the middle of an apartment block, or somewhere at ground level that would enable you to erect a wind turbine or photo voltaic array?
Special interest web sites to visit, here are two that are well known to members of this website:-
http://www.thebackshed.com/Windmill/Contents.asp#2http://scoraigwind.co.uk/How much power do you want to produce, or, are you just wanting to build a small contraption to satisfy curiosity?
Please provide readers with your expanded thoughts and some answers to the above. I suspect Forumites can provide further guidance if you provide more detail.
Dave