Solar Water Pumping System
Solar Water Pumping System can help offset the cost of traditional irrigation fuels. The more often a pump is run, the greater the opportunity for savings from solar. Solar pumps are reliant exclusively on the sun to provide power and therefore operate only during daylight hours unless coupled with a battery/storage system. Solar pumps may be a good option for lower water volume and daytime irrigation systems. As yet, affordable solar technology is unable to supply sufficient power to pump enough water for large-scale flood irrigation.
A typical solar-powered pumping system consists of solar panels connected to an electric motor that runs a bore or surface electric pump. A solar pumping solution available from your irrigation supplier will typically supply a DC (mainspowered) pump that is connected directly to the solar panel and does not require a DC/AC inverter. DC brushless motors also offer very high efficiency levels (over 90 percent). In cases where an AC (battery-powered) pump is already in place, an inverter is required between the PV panel and the motor to convert fromthe direct current generated by the solar panel to the alternate current required by the electric pump motor In the case of a solar-diesel hybrid system, a solar pumping system (PV panel plus pump) is installed to complement the existing diesel pump operation. The solar pump can either pump directly into the systemto offset diesel pump operation during daytime, or pump water to a storage tank or reservoir (which is part of the solar pumping solution) so that water is also available on cloudy days and at night. |
A solar PV water pumping system - commonly known as a solar pump - draws power from solar cell / modules to operate a motor pump set. Solar power pumps use specially developed and energy efficient motor pump sets to achieve higher discharge which off sets the high initial cost. A solar PV water pumping system consists of a number of solar PV modules connected in series - parallel combination to generate sufficient power to operate a motor pump. The solar PV modules are mounted on a metal frame in a manner that the mounting frame can be turned / tilted to ensure that the modules keep facing the sun throughout the day. The system does not have any storage battery since power generated is used directly then and there. The SPV array converts the solar energy into electricity which is used for running the motor pump set. The pumping system can draw water from the open well / bore well or stream / pond or canal.
Advantages
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Applications SPV pumps are more suitable for remote areas with no or unreliable grid or as an alternative to diesel pumps. Some of the most popular applications are :
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