Solar water Pumping

What is solar water pumping?

The lack of sufficient infrastructure and reliable sources of electrical energy in Nepal's rural areas has resulted in several quality-of-life problems. For example, locals walk for an extended period to get water to complete household tasks because their villages are far from water sources and at much higher altitudes. Installing two water tanks, one near the water source to collect water from its running start and the other near the settlement at a higher height with the appropriate head, will solve the problem. The water will then be lifted from the lower tank to the top using high-efficiency solar DC or AC water pumps. Standard pipes are used to distribute the water collected in the higher tank.

Advantages of solar water pumping:

• Energy resource is almost universally available as their primary source is the sun
• A high correlation between energy available and water needs
• Low environmental impact and reliable  
• Fuel cost is nearly zero
• Long life (lifetime of regular PV modules is more than 20 years)
•  Low maintenance cost
• There is no operation cost
• Suitable for systems of any size
• It can be operated by unskilled labor

 Disadvantages of solar water pumping:

•  Sophisticated technology, not suitable for local manufacturers
•  Need high investment cost at initial stages
• Output fluctuation due to varying solar insulation

Application of solar water pumping

Water pumping applications can vary significantly in terms of their needs and the conditions in which they should be performed.

The cost (cost per unit of water) varies considerably based on factors such as:

• Necessary water quantities and time
• The capacity of the water supply and the depth to which it will be pumped
• Source refreshes rates and seasonal variations in static head
• Bore or well diameters, as well as solar insulation