It may be true that electricity is not the basic necessity of life but its deprivation can cause us difficulties in accessing the basic necessities of life. Where there are no power lines life becomes quite difficult to spend, but now thanks to the sun we can now take benefit of solar energy.

Solar pumps are a clean and very simple alternative to fuel-burning generators and of course windmills. Solar pump has the ability to produce more water as compared to a windmill or generator even in the harsh climate. Solar pumps are basically designed in such a way that they utilize DC power supply from the panels consisting of photovoltaic cells. Solar pumps can also be modified to operate on AC power supply.

Solar Pumps

Solar water pumps are designed in such a way that they only use DC electric supply from a panel consisting of photovoltaic cells. They must operate at low power during the low light conditions. They must not be stalled or over heated.

Low pumps utilize low volumetric mechanisms due to which the water is sealed in the cavities and forced upward. Where there is a need for high volumes of water then centrifugal pumps are used.

Surface pumps are mounted on the ground level, whereas submersible pumps are lowered into water. Submersible pumps are quite common in deep water wells.

Pump Controller

Pump controller is also known as the current booster. It is an electronic device utilized by most of the solar pumps. It works like an automatic transmission device.

It helps the pump to start and preventing it stalling in case of weak sunlight.

Solar Tracker

Solar pumps are also fitted with solar trackers. Solar trackers adjust the PV array according to the position of the sun, thereby increasing the energy gain up to 55%.Where there is availability of more peak sun hours then overall cost can be reduced by employing a smaller pump and a smaller power supply.

Tracking is efficient most when the weather is clear and sunny, at the same time it is less effective as the weather turns cloudy and cold.

Storage

The most important part is that of storage. Storage depends upon the climate and the usage of water. It may be possible that only three to four days storage may be required. For the sake of simplicity and economy some systems use water storage rather than batteries. A float switch is fitted in the pump which turns the pump off when the water tank is filled, so as to prevent the overflow and wasting of water.

Advantages Of Solar Pumps

Comparison of a solar pump and a windmill is quite meaning less as the solar pumps are quite easy to install and maintain as compared to the windmill and also they are less expensive.

Livestock Watering

Solar pumps are used for watering the livestock. Cattle ranchers enthusiastically use solar pumps.

It is quite beneficial for the ranchers to use solar pumps, because of their scattered power sources over the vast rangeland and also where there are few power lines as well as the maintenance and transport costs are high. Cattle ranchers use solar pumps to distribute water.

Domestic Use

Solar pumps are also used for domestic purposes. They are used in homes, medical clinics and villages.

A water pump has the ability to be powered by its own PV array or by a main system booster pump or an elevated storage tank can be used to provide water pressure. The main battery can also serve as a storage tank.

Irrigation

Solar pump can also be used in irrigation. Storage batteries stabilize the voltage in order to provide a consistent source of water flow and distribution. It may also eradicate the need for a storage tank.

Think Small

There are no limitation to the how big in size the solar pump can be crated or built. Solar pumps are more competitive in small installations’ and where the engines of combustion are least economical. 150 watts is the energy requirement for small solar pumps.

Small solar pumps have the ability to lift water form the depth exceeding 20 feet of 65 meter at a speed of 5.7 liters in a minute.

Slow Pumping

Slow solar pumping helps in the utilization of low yield sources of water. It also decreases costs associated with a long pipe as a small sized pipe may be used.

Low pipes require low amount of energy and therefore water can be pushed over a great distance wit low cost.

Solar Pumping Cost

Cost of solar pumping in directly proportional to the water demand. If the demand for water is more then the cost of solar pumping will also increase and vice versa. In order to minimize costs of solar pumping the water demand should be reduced. water demand can be reduced through the conservation of water.

Drip irrigation is a very useful way to reduce consumption of water. In houses low water toilets can reduce the total domestic use of water by approximately half. Efficiency of water is regarded as the prime consideration of solar pumping economics.

a large solar pump is only used in places where there is availability of a generator or utility mains. The solar pump is only turned on when required. Panels of photovoltaic cells are very expensive; therefore systems must be sized carefully. It may regard as fitting a suit where you need all the correct measurements.

Guide To Design

In order to use a solar pump in your locality you firstly need to determine what type of pump should be used. You will have to choose between a submersible pump or a surface pump.

Submersible pump can be used for water sources which are deep well as well as for surface water sources. Surface pumps can be used for drawing surface water but can push it far uphill. Surface pump is less expensive than a submersible pump.

After deciding the type of pump required you need to determine the flow rate required. flow rate can be determined by diving the total requirement by the hours when full sun energy is available or peak hours.