SOLAR POWERED IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
(SPIS)
INTRODUCTION TO SPIS
10/31/2023 1
Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (Spis)
Solar water pumping is an application of PV technology which converts solar energy into
electricity to run the pump motor.
Solar Pumping System Components
Why solar powered irrigation systems
§It is pollution free and produces no §Easy to install and can be installed
green-house gases almost everywhere from a field to a
§Limited maintenance after installation building
§Reduced dependence on imported
and can last longer
fuel which is unreliable and
§ Dependable i.e. Available throughout
easily affected by global events
the year everyday, even on cloudy
§Easily available
days it produces some power.
§In the long run it has a high return
on investment -profitable
Considerations For Designing A Solar Pumping
System
• Water demand (volume)
• Water storage (source)
• Water depth (head)
• location of PV panels
• Type of irrigation system to be installed
Application Of Solar Energy In Water Supply
Portable water supply for Livestock water supply
Small scale irrigation institutions
Solar Irradiance graph
• This is number of hours
when maximum sunshine
is received.
Parameters Of Most Interest In Solar Water Pumping
Pressure is the driving force responsible
for the movement of the fluid.
Friction is the force that slows down
fluid particles.
Flow rate is the amount of volume that
is displaced per unit time.
Checklist before buying a solar
water pumping irrigation system
• Solar water pump installation site.
• Pump setting depth.
• Requirement of daily water.
• AC or DC pump
Water Supply in Solar pump selection
Water Access; Is the water shared
or private? Is the water source on
Water sources ; Borehole, Stream, the plot, nearby, or very far away?
Valley Dam Do you have an extraction
permit? Distance and elevation of
the water source?
Water Quantity; What amount of
water do you have access to? This How does water supply affect
determines the type of crop you can crops ? The quality of water affects
grow, the area and method of the irrigation method and total
Irrigation. , Water quantity is usually project cost.
measured in m3/hour or m3/day
Determine Pumping Requirements
Pump Selection
• Total Head= Elevation Head + Friction Head
Loss + Demand Pressure Head
• Elevation= Abtained From Field Data
• FRICTION LOSS = (Total Length/100) *
Friction Loss Factor
• Demand Pressure Head=from Product Data
Sheet
• Volume Required
12
Types of pumps
•Surface pumps
• E:\IRRIGATION\VIDEOS\Sunlight.mp4 Submersible Pumps
E:\IRRIGATION\VIDEOS\QB 60.mp4 • These pumps are submerged in water.
Mostly used for underground water sources
10/31/2023
Submersible pumps installation requirements
•Submersible pump •Level sensors
•Solar panel •Main supply pipe
•Panel Structure •Storage tank
•Submersible Cable •Controller
•Joint kit •Nylon rope
•DC Cable
Solar surface pump installation
• Suction pipe 8m
• Foot valve
• Main supply pipe
• Storage tank
• Solar panel
• Panel Structure
Photo credit: manomano.com
Comparison/Contrast to non-solar irrigated systems
Particular Rainfed SPIS Fuel
Powered
Advantages Increases the fertility of the land, rainfed pollution free and causes no greenhouse gases Less
agriculture has control of diseases and to be emitted after installation investment
infections; capital
Reduces the bad results of a good harvest Reduced dependence on foreign oil and fossil Gives high
caused by the disintegration and provides the fuels pressures and
surface of the earth with the vital measure of larger
water for the expansion of food. volumes of
water
Renewable clean power that is available every Can cover
day of the year, even cloudy days produce bigger
some power acreage in a
short time
Return on investment unlike paying for utility
bills
Virtually no maintenance as solar panels last
over 30 years
Comparison Cont’d
Particular Rain fed SPIS Fuel powered
Disadvantages Nutrient High initial costs Fuel usually costs
depletion, low for material and more.
fertilizer use installation and Servicing can be
efficiency and long return of more expensive,
imbalanced investment. although you
fertilizer use don't need to do
it as often.
Water shortage, Diesel engines
moisture stress produce a lot
and droughts. more nitrogen
gasses.
Diesel engines
can be slightly
noisier.
Risks and challenges with uptake of solar solutions
• High initial Capital Cost –Solved through Gov’t , PDM , Farmer groups ,Agricultural
loans
• Need for innovative financing models or subsidies.
• Limited servicing infrastructure-Capacity building such as one done by GIZ/ENDEV
• Pumping limited to hours of solar radiation- Store water not power
• Water output determined by initial system design-Site survey
• Need for increased capacity of local technicians and preventative maintenance for
users at time of installation and operation.
• Depletion of groundwater resources incases where Solar pumps are left to run even
when there no reason. This results into drop in water table and increase soil salinity.
Practical Session
