Palang Thai Pico-Hydro Project Photo Story
Palang Thai recently completed a community pico-hydro project on the Burma-Thailand border. The project was a combined effort that involved students from the Engineering Studies program at Mae La refugee camp, American students from the Institute for Village Studies, the BGET team, and local village residents. The project took just over a week, and once complete, the lights were in on in the village school, temple, church, and teacher's dorm.
Construction of the weir
Final phase of weir construction (left), and view of 6-inch PVC penstock from powerhouse up to weir (right)
Early phase of power house construction (left), and making concrete floor in powerhouse (right)
Final connection of pipe in the powerhouse (left), and students from ESP at Mae La Camp wiring the controller (right)
Completed pump-as-turbine (left), and pump-as-turbine in operation, with water coming from tailrace (right)
Working on the distribution line splice (left), and villager helping with power line construction (right)
ESP team after construction (left), and last night's campfire, with school lights (powered by micro-hydro!) in background
