1) An irrigation farm in Jordan was evaluated for replacing its grid-powered pumps with a solar photovoltaic system. Calculations determined the optimal sizing of solar panels, inverters, and batteries to meet the farm's pumping load. 2) Both on-grid and off-grid solar systems were designed. The on-grid system was found to have a payback period of 13 years while the off-grid system's payback was 17.2 years. 3) Overall, a solar pumping system could provide long-term savings on electricity costs for irrigation, but high upfront costs and existing electricity subsidies for Jordanian agriculture make it difficult to implement widely.

1. SUMMARY
Solar Powered Pump
for Irrigation System

2. SUMMARY SOLAR POWERED PUMP FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEM
1
Water pumping is an energy intensive activity and consumes a large amount of electricity
depending on the farm’s irrigation area. Solar energy, which is abundantly available in
Jordan, can be used for pumping water via solar Photovoltaic technology. In this study, we
try to understand the performance of the solar PV water pumps in Al-Baqa’a. The "Alissar
Farm" we visited included pumps electrically supplied from local grid.
Proper study was made for the solar system in accordance with Jordan Electric Power
Company (JEPCO). Irrigation loads, working hours and power consumption were taken from
actual conditions. On other hand, the designing of On-grid and Off-grid solar systems were
accomplished by calculate the power pumps required and obtaining the actual electric
consumption using electrical bills for year 2013.
Jordan imports most of its energy needs. The energy issue has formed a difficult challenge
for Jordan. Its lack of conventional commercial energy resources places a burden on the
national economy due to the relatively high cost of imported oil and the high energy
investment needed for economic and social development of the country.
With every challenge comes an opportunity, and that is to become self-sufficient, and
reliant on your own natural resources. Jordan is in fact very rich in renewable resources but,
due to a lack of investment and foresight, these resources have not been exploited.
1. Solar Powered Pump
Solar powered water pumps can deliver drinking water as well as water for livestock or
irrigation purposes. Solar water pumps may especially be useful in small scale or community
based irrigation, as large scale irrigation requires large volumes of water that in turn require a
large solar photovoltaic (PV) array.
Usually the main load for agricultural company is the pump load, this is the reason of this
project to focus on solar powered pump and it can also be more environmentally friendly
and economical in its operation compared to pump powered by an internal combustion
engine (ICE) and in order to replace or decrease the electrical consumption from local grid
and generating power from PV solar system. A solar powered pump consists of two main
parts: namely the actual pump and the energy source being powered by the sun. It can
provide a reliable water supply.

3. SUMMARY SOLAR POWERED PUMP FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEM
2
2. Background
Renewable energy resources - particularly solar - can technically provide Jordan needs of
energy in the future. The development and use of such forms of energy helps sustainable
development through economic growth and pollution control. The replacement of fossil fuel
by renewable and clean forms of energy would relieve the environment from serious types of
pollution. Investment in renewable forms of energy would at least partially relieve Jordan
from burdens of oil imports as well as the creation of new job opportunities.
Jordan lies in the so-called earth-sun belt area and has a high potential of solar energy,
where the annual averages of global solar energy is about 1800 kWh/m2
per year. (Yearly
average solar radiation on a fixed tilted surface is more than 6 kwh/m2
per day).
Due to the high consumption of electricity by agricultural sector where farms are often far
from grids which add more cost on electrical companies by connecting the whole sector on
grid electricity. So, here came the idea of this project.
This project is simply an irrigation system that will be electrically supplied by solar system
"photovoltaic cells". The main advantages referred to the electrical consumption of the
country with respect to reduce the energy bill, pollution and green house effect.
This project consists of five chapters, among which this introduction is the First.
Chapter Two covers the irrigation systems followed by chapter Three which covers the solar
power system, next chapter covers calculations overview of electrical load and head losses in
the pipes and calculations of photovoltaic system sizing, the last chapter covers the results,
discussion and conclusions.
3. Statement of the problem
Alissar Flowers Company has a farm at Al-Baqa'a which is located about 20 km north of
Jordan's capital Amman. It has begun growing flowers since 1979. Since then it has
improved it's irrigation systems, components and methods without any development in the
energy source which is supplied by the local grid "Jordan Electric Power Company
(JEPCO)".
There are three levels through which water passes to reach the desired irrigation process,
these levels include starting with water source, conveying to Filtration and Fertilizing level,
and finally irrigation level.

4. SUMMARY SOLAR POWERED PUMP FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEM
3
The farm is divided into four small systems A, B, C and D. Each has a number of
greenhouses and time required for irrigation, controlled by control room and it has a network
of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Polyethylene (PE) pipes.
After a thorough investigation about the farm capability to replace the energy source for
irrigation with solar energy system, to economize the energy bill of the farm, the idea was
presented to the owners of the company and won their admiration.
In order to reduce the energy consumption there are two subjects that must be checked,
first, the water circuits head losses and any leakages should be taken into considerations.
Second, collect the important data for photovoltaic system design and make sure about the
right way to solve the problem of energy consumption. The farm's electrical bill is nearly
about 300 JD every month which is a significant burden should be minimize by this project
because the largest load in the farm is the water pumping for irrigation system.
4. Objectives
1- Identify the irrigation system and its components.
2- Calculate the losses due to the friction in fittings and pipes.
3- Calculate the power needed for pump.
4- Design an appropriate solar system with the farm's electrical loads.
5- Show the differences between the ON and OFF- grid systems.
6- Calculate the cost for the project and feasibility study.
7- Study the capability of applying this project in Jordanian agriculture sector.
8- Understand the photovoltaic systems and select the perfect practicable system to solve
the problem of farm's energy consumption.

5. SUMMARY SOLAR POWERED PUMP FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEM
4
4. Calculations and Results
Pump's Power Data and Calculation Results
Alissar Flowers irrigation systems data:
Table (1): Lengths, types and diameters of pipes
System
Main Pipe Drip Pipe
Type
Length
(m)
Diameter
(m)
Type
Length
(m)
Diameter
(m)
Reservoir PVC 10 0.09 - - -
A PE 205 0.063 PE 1000 0.016
B PE 85 0.063 PE 800 0.016
C PVC 138 0.09 PE 800 0.016
D PE 220 0.063 PE 400 0.016
Table(2): Mass flow rate of water
System Flow (m3
/hour)
Reservoir 8
A 8
B 8
C 8
D 6
Table (3): Static pressure of water in pipes and elevation.
System P1 (bar) P2 (bar) Z1(m) Z2(m)
Reservoir 0 3.0 -1 2
A 0 1.2 1.5 0
B 0 1.2 1.5 0
C 0 1.2 1.5 0
D 0 1.2 -1 0

6. SUMMARY SOLAR POWERED PUMP FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEM
5
Alissar Flowers irrigation system results:
Table (4): Head loss in all pipes
System
HL in Main
Pipe (m)
HL in Drip
Lines
(m)
HL due to
Fitting
(m)
Total
Reservoir 0.015 ------ ------ 0.015
A 1.8 31.25 1.05 34.1
B 0.75 25 1.05 26.8
C 0.22 25 1.05 26.27
D 1.16 7.53 0.59 9.28
After calculating all pumps power needed the results are shown in the following table:
System
Power needed
KW (HP)
Power applied
KW (HP)
Work hours Total load (Pc)
KWh/day
Reservoir 1.046 (1.402) 1.492 (2) 13 19.396
A 1.392 (1.86) 1.492 (2) 13 19.396
B 1.165 (1.56) 1.492 (2) 7 10.444
C 1.149 (1.54) 1.492 (2) 5 7.46
D 0.525 (0.704) 0.746 (1) 1 0.746
Table (5): Total power needed for all pumps
Total 57.442

7. SUMMARY SOLAR POWERED PUMP FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEM
6
Photovoltaic System Calculation Results
On-Grid System:
Table ( 6): Optimum orientation of solar Photovoltaic panels in the "On-grid" system
Optimum orientation
of Photovoltaic (PV)
Panels (Modules)
Situation of the PV Panels Fixed (No Tracking)
Peak Sun Hours (PSH) 5.5 h/day
Latitude Angle (Ø) 32°N
Length of the PV panels 1956mm=1.956m
Tilt Angle (β) from horizontal, South facing 26°
Azimuth Angle (γ) 0°
Altitude Angle (α) 25°
Linear distance - length of shadow (d) 3.597m
Required area (space) for the PV Panels
Table (7) : Sizing of Photovoltaic panels for "On-grid" system
Photovoltaic
Panels
Total Watt-peak rating needed for PV panels 10.444 KWp
Manufacturer Trina Solar Smart Energy
Together Company
Model TSM-PC14A,TSM-PA14A,
the Honey module
Number of PV panels 36 Panel
Peak Power Watts-PMAX for each panel (Wp) 300 W = 0.3 KW
Open circuit voltage (Voc) 45 Volt
Temperature coefficient of (Voc) -0.32% /°C
Short circuit current (Isc) 8.70 A
Maximum Efficiency (ɳ) 16.0%

8. SUMMARY SOLAR POWERED PUMP FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEM
7
Table (8): Sizing of "On- grid" inverter
ON-Grid
Inverter
Single Phase Output (1Φ)
String Inverter
Outdoor
Manufacturer Power One Company
Type AURORA
Model PVI-4.2-TL-OUTD
Maximum Efficiency 96.8 %
Number of Independent MPPT 2
Maximum DC input power for each MPPT [ PMPPT, max] 3000 watt =3 KW
Maximum inverter power 6000W = 6 KW
Number of inverter 2
Total Maximum inverter power 12000 watt = 12 KW
Number of Strings for each inverter 2
Number of panels for each string 9 panels
Number of panels for each inverter 18 panels
Absolute Maximum DC input voltage of the inverter
(Vmax,abs)
600 volt
Maximum Input Short Circuit Current for each MPPT
(Isc, max)
20 A
Total string voltage 1575 volt
Minimum recorded temperature in Jordan -2°C
Increasing in voltage 136.08 volt

9. SUMMARY SOLAR POWERED PUMP FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEM
8
Off-Grid System :
Table (9): Optimum orientation of the solar Photovoltaic panels in the "Off-grid" system
Optimum orientation
of PV panels
Situation of the PV Panels Fixed (No Tracking)
Peak Sun Hours (PSH) 5.5 h/day
Panel Generation Factor (PGF) 4.455 h/day
Latitude Angle (Ø) 32°N
Length of the PV panels 1956mm=1.956m
Tilt Angle (β) from horizontal, South facing 26°
Azimuth Angle (γ) 0°
Altitude Angle (α) 25°
Linear distance - length of shadow (d) 3.597m
Required area (space) for the PV Panels
Table (10): Sizing of Photovoltaic panels for "Off-grid" system
Photovoltaic
panels
Total Watt-peak rating needed for PV panels 15.473 KWp
Manufacturer Trina Solar Smart Energy
Together Company
Model TSM-PC14A,TSM-PA14A,
the Honey module
Number of PV panels 52 Panel
Peak Power Watts-PMAX for each panel (Wp) 300W =0.3 KW
Open circuit voltage (Voc) 45 Volt
Temperature coefficient of (Voc) -0.32% /°C
Short circuit current (Isc) 8.70 A
Maximum Efficiency (ɳ) 16.0%

10. SUMMARY SOLAR POWERED PUMP FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEM
9
Table (11): Sizing of "Off- grid" inverter
OFF-Grid
Inverter
Single phase output (1Φ)
Indoor
Manufacturer ALIBABA GROUP COMPANY
Type Off-grid indoor solar inverter with
solar controller AC charger
Model GTS-C103096
Maximum Efficiency (ɳ) 90 %
Maximum Inverter Power (Rated
Power)
10000 W= 10 KW
Number of Inverter 1
Rated Voltage (VDC) 96 Volt
Solar charge
controller
Solar charge controller rating (size
of charge controller )
542.88 A
Table (12): Sizing of batteries
BATTERIES
Nominal battery voltage (V) 2 Volt
Round Trip Battery Efficiency (RTBE) 85 %
Depth Of Discharge (DOD) 80 %
Manufacturer RITAR POWER COMPANY
Type AGM BATTERIES, RL- SERIES
Model RL-23000 (3000Ah)
Autonomy days (AD) 3 Day (72 Hours)
Required Capacity of all batteries (Ah
Required)
140789.2 Ah
Capacity of each Battery at (10 hours) 3000 Ah
Capacity of each Battery at (72 hours) 21600 Ah
Number of Batteries 7 Batteries
Connection Manner Parallel

11. SUMMARY SOLAR POWERED PUMP FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEM
10
5. Feasibility study
Electricity fees in Jordan for agricultural sector is equal to 0.06 JD/KWh according to
Jordan Electric Power Company (JEPCO).
By comparing between pump's electricity annual cost and the cost of the on-grid system;
the payback period for the system should be:
years ≈ 13 years .
By comparing between pump's electricity annual cost and the cost of the off-grid system;
the payback periods for the system should be:
years ≈ 17.2 years .
Thus, the total saving amount from electrical energy cost due to irrigation system "for
On-grid PV installation" is about 14,889 JD during 25 years.
6. Conclusion
 Total electrical load of "Alissar Flowers" from the company's bills history during 2013 is
4810 KWh/month, but the power needed for pumps (irrigation system) is only 1723.26
KWh/month about 36% of the total load. The rest is the farm facility's load.
 Depending on the bills history of Alissar Flowers, the average value of bills is about 300
JD/month during 2013, where as the irrigation system takes about 36% of total bill,
i.e.108 JD paid for irrigation load per month and it’s approximately 1296 JD from 3600
JD per year.
 The efficiency of solar cells is inversely proportional with the temperature, when the
temperature increases the efficiency decreases and vice versa.

12. SUMMARY SOLAR POWERED PUMP FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEM
11
 If more PV panels are installed then the system will perform better, whereas fewer PV
panels are used, the system may not work at all during cloudy weathers.
 The main difference between On and Off-grid systems are that the Off-grid system has a
charge controller, battery and Off-grid inverter, without a smart meter.
 The more peak sun hours, the more power can be produced from a solar PV system.
 If the surface of PV panels is moved to follow the sun, the energy will increase. This
technology is called Tracking of PV arrays. In summer a tracking system achieves around
50% radiation gained in sunny days, and in winter 300% or more, compared to a
horizontal surface (fixed). But the tracking system requires to continuous maintenance,
cooling system to avoid high temperature and high cost compared with fixed system.
 After 25 years the efficiency of the system will drop to 80%, so more panels have to be
installed to cover the shortage in power.
7. Recommendations
 The on grid system in irrigation sector is more feasible, because it has a low capital costs
and short payback period. Whereas the off grid system is more applicable, because the
farms are often far from electric local grids.
 The capability of applying this project in Jordanian agriculture sector is not feasible,
because the Jordanian government supports the agriculture sector, where the electricity
fees in Jordan for agricultural sector is equal to 0.06 JD/KWh according to Jordan
Electric Power Company (JEPCO).