Post-installation analysis of locally manufactured small wind turbines: Case studies in Peru

In wind-based rural electrification projects, installing a small wind turbine is only the first step in providing energy access to a remote community. Locally manufactured technology is particularly susceptible to failures and as a result, an effective socio-technical system must be put in place to ensure that it continues in operation for many years to come. The systems created by two non-governmental organisations operating in the Andean region of Northern Peru were investigated and correlated to the post-installation performance of their wind turbines. Whilst both organisations appointed members of the community to operate and maintain the wind power systems, the level of training given to them was very different. The availability of each set of wind turbines was directly related to the amount of maintenance that community members were able to perform on them. Thus, clearly showing the wind power systems' critical dependence on the quality of the socio-technical system constructed around them to ensure its smooth operation after installation.