Why Solar Pumping?
Solar water pumping eliminates diesel fuel costs, reduces maintenance, and provides reliable water supply in remote areas without grid access. Typical applications: irrigation, livestock watering, village water supply, and fish farming.
Pump Type Comparison
- Submersible Pumps: Installed underwater in boreholes. Best for deep wells (30-300m). BLDC motor for high efficiency.
- Surface Pumps: Above ground, suction lift <7m. Suitable for shallow wells, ponds, rivers.
- Floating Pumps: Floats on water surface. Ideal for lakes and reservoirs. Easy installation and maintenance.
BLDC vs AC Motors
BLDC (Brushless DC): 85-92% efficiency, soft start, wide voltage range, integrated MPPT. AC Induction: 70-82% efficiency, rugged, lower cost. For solar, BLDC is preferred due to higher efficiency and wider operating range.
System Sizing
Pump power (W) = (Flow × Head × 9.81) ÷ (Pump efficiency × 3,600). Array size = Pump power × 1.25 (for losses and cloudy days). Include battery buffer if 24/7 operation needed.