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Acoustic noise emissions from locally manufactured small wind turbines, caused by current harmonics during low wind speeds, have been mitigated with the use of passive filters, thus increasing user community acceptance. In this paper various topologies of passive filters are investigated, while their optimal design is developed through a novel whole-system electro-mechanical approach. Specifically, the L-RLC passive filter topology is optimized for minimum line current total harmonic distortion, minimum change in the terminal voltage of the axial flux permanent magnet generator, and for reduced power losses. The optimal filter design is manufactured and field tested for acoustic noise emissions and power performance, while also being compared to other passive filter topologies.

Low-cost renewable energy technologies can make small-scale electricity ?production more accessible to rural communities. The local manufacturing of such technologies can significantly reduce the initial costs with the use of locally available materials, tools, and manufacturing techniques, and, at the same time, it can reduce maintenance costs by providing appropriate training to the user community. Open designs, which can be adopted to local needs and ?supported by a global technology network, have provided successful examples of appropriate technology applications for the past 40 years, such as small and pico hydroelectric rural electrification systems in Nepal and renewable energy training centers in Mali.