I don't consider myself to be an expert on this yet, but first off, I would read all the stuff on wind and solar listed on this site, and any other sources for that matter. On a small budget and in a hurry to start, I'd probably first figure out where I would ultimately like to get to when the system is done. If I envision ultimately powering my house all the time, I would likely opt for a higher voltage, such as 48V and start collecting parts to fit because of the smaller cable sizes required for the same power at higher voltages. The first thing is conservation. You can save power much more easily and cheaply than you can make the same amount of power. Efficient lighting and appliances, the discipline of switching or unplugging things when not in use. Next, I would get good batteries suitable for future growth of my system. If you can find a small motor, like a tape drive motor, that can output voltage in the range you need for your system at a couple hundred rpm or so, and in the range that you like, it might be a more simple starter project. Then you can look at motor conversions and dual axle mills down the road to compliment the mill you will already have. In time you will want to diversify your power input. Successful systems I see usually have 3 or more methods of getting power into the batteries, for example, solar, wind, with a diesel backup for those times when it is dark and calm. The idea is to envision where you want to go, and obtain parts that can get you up and rolling now, but will still fit into your system in the future.
A simple system might consist of good batteries, a diversion controller suitable for more power than you can generate, a dump load such as a heater to get rid of excess power to protect the batteries, A tape drive mill with suitable rectifiers and fusing, an inverter that can be used to power those AC loads in the local voltage and frequency ranges.
As time and funding permit you can add a string or two of solar, and build a better mill. You can add inverters, diversion controllers, and such to your system as you are able in the future. I hope this helps some, Rich Hagen
