A solar pumping system involves using solar energy to pump water from a source on the surface (lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs) or from inside a well, to your fields to irrigate your crops. Solar water pumps are widely to supply well water and upstream sources to livestock/crops. In Africa, the use of solar-powered water pumps has become increasingly popular in commercial farms due to the high cost of fuels for running pumps. The cost of pumping water using solar energy is very low compared to fue-powered pumps.
Solar panels provide power to the pump, it is important the level of electrical power of the pump be consistent with the electrical power of the panels. Having a larger solar panel allows the pump to heat up earlier and add more power as the sun gets more intense.
In order to select the right pump for a particular field, the following should be considered:
1. Source of water 2. The daily water needs as per; a) Crops grown (water requirements of cultivated crops) b) Size of small farm production c) Total farm size 3. Variation of elevation from water source to the highest point of field (TDH) 4. Lowest depth of water in summer (if it is borehole) 5. Distance from source to the farthest distance for pumping water on a farm 6. Distance from the pump to a solar panel or solar array