The growing trend of clean energy is making individuals adopt more sustainable and renewable energy sources. Nowadays, people are making great use of solar energy. For example, individuals utilize solar power to generate electricity, steam, and now water. Solar panels with Photovoltaic (PV) can generate electricity when sunlight reflects on them. Similarly, solar pumps can generate water that can be useful for many endeavors.
What Are Solar Pumps, and How Do They Work?
A Solar water pump is an attractive technology for farmers that can supply water to locations with little or no electricity supply. These locations rely on fuel for electricity and generation of water, and it can be costly. Alternatively, solar water pumps can replace the previous pumping system and result in economic and environmental benefits. In particular, it is economical because it utilizes sun energy, which is cheap in the long term. Similarly, it reduces environmental effect because it doesn’t require fuel to run, which reduces environmental pollution.
Solar water pump technology uses solar panels (PVs) that convert the solar energy into electrical energy it captures from the sun. Consequently, the electrical energy drives the electric generator that operates the pump. The pump transmits the water to the pipe’s location, which is where you want to utilize the water. Many solar water pumps transmit the water to a large tank that acts as storage or reserve, which can supply water at night. The solar panels are usually set on a mounting structure to have maximum exposure to sunlight.
What Are the Types of Solar Water Pumps?
There are mainly two types of Solar pumps – surface water pump and solar submersible water pump.
Surface Water Pump
Surface solar pumps are installed on the water’s surface, and they are most useful in ponds, shallow wells, and storage tanks. They are useful in places where the well’s depth is low – 20 feet or less. Furthermore, it has a simple installation process, and it is easy to repair.
Solar Submersible Water Pump
Solar submersible water pump generally helps to generate water from deep well, pressurization, and irrigation. They are submerged in the water, which ensures their proper operation. Moreover, the pump sucks water from its head and discharges it through the outlet of the machine. In contrast, submersible water pumps can lift water up to 650 feet. Also, it pumps water throughout the day when the sun is shining and stores the excess water.
Solar Water Pumps for Irrigation
There are power cuts in many emerging and developing economies, and many farms are off the electricity grid. Therefore, there is very little electricity for water pumps to lift water for irrigation. As a result, agriculture is difficult to practice. Moreover, in countries where the primary sector is dominant, less power can reduce the water generation, reducing the output level. Consequently, this can affect the GDP of the whole economy. Many individuals resort to diesel water pumps, but they are costly to operate. Alternatively, solar water pumps can lift water for irrigation and provide a reserve for future use at a little or no electricity cost. It is clear that installing such a setup is expensive, but the benefits it reaps in the future are commendable. Likewise, solar water pumps are economical because they provide water for irrigation free of cost, and they also help to reserve the current limited resources for future better use. Moreover, solar water pumps are also eco friendly since there is no CO2 emission and noise pollution. The prices of solar water panels for irrigation varies, with the cheapest being around $1500, while the more complex systems can go up to $20,000.