Solar Powered Water Pump
Solar Powered Water Pumps use generated electricity to pump water. Common applications are water
for livestock, crop irrigation, drinking, and cooking water supply. Solar pumps present a clean, simple
and energy-efficient alternative to traditional electric and fuel-driven pump sets. They are part of an
environmentally friendly approach in agriculture and can be used to exploit every region, whether its
developed or poor.
Solar Powered Water Pump Applications
During hot months and in hot areas the requirement for water is high. Private households and farms need
a stable and consistent water supply. Solar water pumps are electrically driven pumping systems,
powered by photovoltaic panels. Solar water pumps use the generated electricity to pump water.
According to each individual need, solar water pumps can be applied for the following purposes where
pumping water is needed:
Water for livestock
Water for crop irrigation
Drinking and cooking water supply
Sizing of the pump
Correct sizing of the pump and controlling devices is important, as the water supply or harvest may rely
on a constant water supply. The sizing of the Solar Powered Water Pump needs to be done according to
the location and usage of the system.
What components are used for Solar Powered Water Pump installations?
A solar water pump installation is a fairly basic system and typically consists of a water pump
(submersible or surface pump), solar panels, and tubes.
Classification and types of solar pumps
When it comes to stand-alone solar pumping systems, the main types include rotating and positive
displacement pumps. Centrifugal pumps are the common choice for rotation and are designed for fixed
head applications. Their output increases in proportion to their speed of rotation.
Additionally, pumps are also classified as submersible and surface pumps, based on their placement
(underwater and above the waterline).
All in all, the main aspect related to the efficiency of a solar water pump is based on three variables
including pressure, flow and input power to the pump. Wire-to-water efficiency is the commonly used
metric that determines the overall efficiency of a solar water pump (as the ratio between the hydraulic
energy that comes out of the pipe and the energy coming over the electrical wires through solar panels).
Selecting the solar panels
The best way to select the right components is to review the amount of water required per day. Based
on the number of gallons or liters required per day, one can select the right water pump and then see the
total power required that needs to be produced by the solar panels. The pump manufacturer will provide
information on the number of watts that are required to produce the desired water flow. After selecting
the size and type of the solar pump, use the available information to calculate the watts of the solar
panels. To increase the pumping volume and time, the solar panels can be installed on trackers. With the
use of solar trackers the output can increase with up to 30%.
Benefits of solar powered water pumps
Solar water pump installations are versatile and can be used for various applications: It enables people to
manage their drinking water supply, livestock watering, irrigation, and other residential applications.
Usually, the need for water is greatest during the hot sunny days. During these peak times, the PV panels
also produce the most power and most water will be pumped into the storage tank. Due to the simplicity
of solar powered water pump systems, this technology is reliable, and requires little maintenance.
Water Tank Volume
2000 M
2000 M
VOLUME = L x W x H
WATER TANK VOLUME V = 2000m. x 2000m. x 2000m.
2000 M. V = 8000 Litters / 8 Cubic Meters
For the water motor pump, we used a 5 horse power surface pump that can pump 100 to 500 litters per
minute (LPM).
For a 5HP water pump it requires a 3.7kw/h to operate. The electricity that will operate the water pump
will be taken from batteries connected to solar panels.
The 5hp water pump can pump water from a deep of 70 up to 80 meters below N.G.L.
