African Community Off-Grid Wind Farm
HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO 4: ENERGY INDEPENDENCE FOR REMOTE AFRICAN VILLAGES
The Challenge: A village in rural East Africa with a population of ~300 people (~60 households) faces interconnected crises stemming from absolute energy poverty. Daily life relies on kerosene lamps, wood fires, and distant diesel generators for clinics/schools—posing health, safety, and economic burdens. Dust storms, seasonal droughts, and limited infrastructure make solar-only solutions unreliable. The community seeks affordable, sustainable power for homes, water pumps, schools, and clinics.
Solution: A village-scale wind farm using eight (8) Vortex 2.5kW Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (platform-mounted on reinforced concrete bases) + a 50 kW solar array + 200 kWh battery storage. Turbines generate power day/night, especially during dry seasons when solar output drops.
Resilience adaptations ensure reliable operation in harsh African conditions: Our VAWTs feature sealed bearings and protective coatings that actively combat Saharan dust infiltration. Extreme temperature tolerance is achieved through specialized resins applied to carbon fibre components, enabling consistent performance in heat exceeding 45°C.
Annual Energy Contribution
Wind: ~148,800 kWh (8 turbines × 18,600 kWh each).
Solar: ~75,000-90,000 kWh (seasonally complementary).
Reliable Power
24/7 electricity for household needs, critical nighttime power for clinics (refrigeration, lighting), schools, and water purification systems.
Economic + Social Impact
Reduces money spent on kerosene/diesel. Enables small businesses (e.g., grain milling, refrigeration). Improves education (enables evening study) and healthcare (vaccine storage). Enables water pumping for small scale irrigation.
Socioeconomic Transformation
Creates potential for electric water pumping for small scale irrigation enabling dry season agriculture to reduce food insecurity.
Water pumps reduce women’s daily walking distance by several kilometers, reclaiming hundreds of hours monthly for education, childcare, or livelihoods.
Environmental Impact
Significantly displaces diesel and kerosene, eliminating indoor air pollutants and reducing CO₂ emissions.
Zero operational fluids: Sealed drivetrain requires no lubricant changes (vs. HAWT gearbox oil) Battery safety: Non-toxic battery chemistry options available (LFP).
Why the Viridis Wind Power™ Vortex 2.5kW VAWT?
Our Vortex 2.5kW Vertical Axis Wind Turbine™ delivers high-output performance for scalable village electrification. Our patented blade technology produces high torque at low wind speeds (5.5 km/h start-up). Its desert-ready design features dust-resilient components and 45°C+ heat tolerance for reliable, low-maintenance operation, while community partnership models ensure local ownership and long-term success.
African Villages Hybrid Micro-Grid System Diagram
