A breakthrough has been achieved in simple and affordable solar irrigation for farmers in developing countries. This presentation was given at the Water, Engineering and Development Centre conference, July 2018.
2. Presentation outline
• The opportunity and the challenge
• Our approach to solving the problem
• Result: a breakthrough in simple,
affordable solar pumping
Our focus is on irrigation, but the pumps
may be applicable for potable water and
other uses.
3. • The opportunity: Solar panels are now
cheap and accessible!
• The challenge: Solar pumps have not
been cheap or accessible.
• Our approach: Look for off-the-shelf DC
pumps that can work directly with solar
panels.
(No battery; no controller; simple and
portable)
4. First field test, Senegal 2013
• 12V DC marine bilge pump
• Panels on a specially-made cart
5. Big step forward: using a single
panel
• 24V pump matched to 250W panel
• Retail cost $400 (without pipes)
• Can irrigate 0.5ha
7. Another step forward: smaller,
more affordable systems using
brushless DC pumps
• Pumps about 1000ℓ/h
• Panel size 60W and upwards
• Pump alone costs $30 in China
8. Low-cost, entry-level system
• Scalable with bigger panels and more pumps
• Complete
irrigation
system (60W
panel, pump,
cable, hose)
costs
US$160 retail
9. 60W system in operation
** Email me for detailed technical manual **
10. Conclusion
Are these pumps viable now? YES
Can they be improved? YES
What needs to be done?
• Make the pumps widely available.
(Presently: limited availability in Senegal,
Burkina Faso, Cameroon)
• Improve the pumps to be more efficient,
reliable, economical.
