
1.I  Purpose 
The  purpose  of  this  handbook  is  to  provide  a  mechanically  proficient 
lay  person  with  sufficient  information  to  evaluate  microhydropower  site 
potential,  lay  out  a  site, 
select  and  install  equipment,  and  finally, 
operate  and  maintain  the  completed  system. 
The  actual  construction  details 
of  the  site  are  not  included;  rather,  pointers  are  given  as  to  what  help  he 
should  expect  from  a  construction  contractor,  and  general  guidelines  on 
construction  details  are  provided.  In  addition,  information  about 
obtaining  financing  and  permits  is  provided. 
To  help  offset  the  cost,  the 
person  performing  the  work, 
referred  to  as  the  "developer,"  is  encouraged 
to  do  as  much  of  the  work  as  possible. 
However,  developers  with  major 
areas  of  uncertainty  should  consider  professional  assistance. 
The  handbook  has  been  written  with  the  aim  of  keeping  the  format 
simple  and  straightforward.  The  reader  is  encouraged  not  be  intimidated  by 
what  may  be  unfamiliar  or  appear  too  technical. 
The  handbook  assumes  that 
the  reader  has  little  working  knowledge  of  hydropower  or  the  engineering. 
concepts  behind  the  use  of  hydropower. 
The  reader  is  encouraged  to  take 
the  time  to  read  and  understand  each  section  of  the  handbook,  especially 
the  mathematics,  tables,  charts,  and  graphs.  A  thorough  understanding  of 
the  information  presented  in  the  handbook  will  greatly  enhance  the  chances 
for  a  successful  development-- 
one  that  produces  the  energy  expected  and 
saves  the  developer  money  and  time  in  the  long  run. 
Keep  reading  and 
studying  the  contents  of  this  handbook;  don't  give  up!!!  The  mathematical 
procedures  presented  in  this  handbook  are  limited  to  multiplication, 
division,  and  square  roots. 
More  sophisticated  procedures  may  yield 
greater  accuracy,  but  for  the  purposes  intended,  the  procedures  presented 
should  be  sufficient. 
. 
e 
Figures  l-2  and  l-3  show  simple  tools  and  aids  you  can  use  in  making 
and  recording  calculations,  making  sketches,  and  doing  similar  work  that 
will  be  needed  during  the  site  development  process. 
A  pocket  calculator 
can  be  of  great  benefit  in  performing  many  of  the  calculations. 
You  will 
also  need  a  ruler  or  scale,  a  triangle,  and  graph  paper  or  quadrille 
paper.  Graph  paper  with  10  divisions  to  the  inch  and  a  scale  with  the  same 
\ 
L.- 
l-3