Unfortunately, most of my power ideas are a little larger than one person task.
I could solve California's energy problems... but have learned that there is so much set against that.
Like the Mafia, but worse. "Don' be messing around in our territory"

And, so i agree that we really need smaller, DIY solutions.

There are so many ways to make a photovoltaic panel. Plant dye and glass. Plastic films.
And i am pretty sure you could make something like a capacitor with thin metal film and plastic that would charge and discharge by sun rays (got to find the frequency)

Small wind turbines are a great way to go for diy
And some of the new 3D printable blades are looking awesome for that.