Sumanik-Leary, J., Piggott, H., Howell, R., While, A., 2013. Locally manufactured small wind turbines-how do they compare to commercial machines?, in: Proceedings of 9th PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe September 18-20, 2013, Uppsala University Campus Gotland, Sweden. p. 5.

This paper describes the modelling of a complete PV-wind hybrid domestic energy system in the micropower optimisation software, HOMER. The actual PV-wind hybrid energy system features a 3m diameter, 800W rated Locally Manufactured Small Wind Turbine (LMSWT) and the model is used to compare the consequences of replacing it with a commercial equivalent. It was found that in this local context, where there is access to the necessary maintenance services and environmental conditions are favourable, locally manufactured technology is the most cost effective option (20% lower net present cost). What is more, it offers the added benefit of spreading the costs more evenly over the lifespan of the energy system and therefore lowering the barrier of high upfront capital costs that often limits the uptake of renewable energy technologies.