Solar-wind hybrid water pumping (GEF Small Grants Program)
Installation of wind turbine
The wind turbine was installed in May 2005. The tower was manufactured in Mali, according to MFC's design, by a local company in Sikasso. This local production of equipment where possible supports Malian businesses.
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Checking the concrete foundation (left); levelling the tower foot on its supporting bolts (centre); checking the wind turbine documentation against parts (right).
Checking that all parts have been brought to the village (left); insertion of electric cable into the tower, which will transport electricity generated to the pump controller (centre); the cable running inside the tower (right).
Bolting the tower sections together after insertion of electric cable (left); mounting hardware to connect suport cables to the tower (centre); bolting the turbine to the top of the tower (right).
Raising the tower
Wind turbine blades have been attached to the rotor (left); use of a grip hoist (tirfort) to raise the tower in a controlled manner (centre); the gin-pole starts to rise as the grip hoist pulls in the cable (right).
The gin-pole continues to rise (left); the gin-pole pulls up the tower (centre); the tower rises (right).
The tower continues its ascent (left, right & centre).
The tower in its vertical position (left); the guy cables are adjusted to make sure the tower is completely vertical (centre); the solar array in front of the newly installed wind turbine (right).
