SOLAR POWER
PRADIP NARALE & PROF. NARENDRA SINGH RATHORE
DEPARTMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ENGINEERING,
MAHARANA PRATAP UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
AND TECHNOLOGY, UDAIPUR (RAJASTHAN)
Solar Water Pumping System for Agriculture
There are an estimated 21 million irrigation pumps in India out of which over 9 million run on
diesel and 12 million are on the electricity grid. Solar operated photovoltaic water pumping
system provides better sustainable alternative option to fulfill irrigation requirement of agriculture.
I
ndia is country of 638,000 villages and
more than seventy percent of Indias
population is involved in agriculture
and allied businesses. Small & subsistence
farmers are entirely dependent on variable
rainfall and groundwater to fulfill irrigation
need of their crops. In India, it is estimated,
government subsidizes electricity for irriga-
tion between Rs 30000 and 40000 corers
each year. There are an estimated 21 million
irrigation pumps in India out of which over
9 million run on diesel and 12 million are
on the electricity grid. Electricity consump-
tion by irrigation pump sets alone accounts
between 10-15% of Indias total electricity
consumption. Indias irrigation pumps are
also believed to be far less efficient than
those uses in other parts of the world. A
source of energy to pump water is also a
big problem in developing countries like
India. Developing a grid system is often
too expensive because rural villages are fre-
quently located too far away from existing
grid lines. Even if fuel is available within the
country, transporting that fuel to remote,
rural villages can be difficult. There are no
roads or supporting infrastructure in many
remote villages. The use of renewable en-
ergy is attractive for water pumping appli-
cations in remote areas of India. Transpor-
tation of renewable energy systems, such
as photovoltaic (PV) pumps, is much easier
than the other types because they can be
transported in pieces and reassembled on
site. Therefore solar operated photovoltaic
water pumping system provides better sus-
tainable alternative option to fulfill irriga-
tion requirement of agriculture.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) water pumping
has been recognized as suitable for grid-
isolated rural locations in poor countries
4 energtica
Solar photovoltaic
(PV) water pumping
has been recognized
as suitable for grid-
isolated rural locations
in poor countries where
there are high levels of
solar radiation. Solar
photovoltaic water
pumping systems can
provide drinking water
without the need for
any kind of fuel or the
extensive maintenance
as required by diesel
pumps
where there are high levels of solar radia-
tion. Solar photovoltaic water pumping
systems can provide drinking water with-
out the need for any kind of fuel or the ex-
tensive maintenance as required by diesel
pumps. They allow people to devote more
time to productive activities and thus im-
prove life style, health and economic con-
ditions. Additionally, they create new jobs
in remote rural areas of the country. The
drudgery of women and children who are
otherwise engaged in bringing water from
far of distances can be reduced significant-
ly. Although the cost of solar photovoltaic
water pumping systems is initially high,
they demand virtually no maintenance,
require no fuel and thus save on foreign
exchange. They are easy to install and op-
erate, highly reliable, durable and modular,
which enables its future expansion.
Operation of Solar Water Pumping
System
A solar photovoltaic array directly gener-
ates electricity from the suns light with no
moving or wearing parts. Here solar radia-
tions are converted in to direct current (DC
electricity) and this generated electricity is
used to pump water through groundwater
source. The size of the pump is designed
based on the total requirement of water
for irrigation of crop and total head. The
size of the solar array is designed consider-
ing availability of yearly solar radiations on
location, and power required to operate
water pump.
Components Involved in the
System
1. Solar PV array: The Solar PV array is a
set of photovoltaic modules connected
in series and possibly strings of
modules connected in parallel.
2. Controller: The Controller is an elec-
tronic device which matches the PV
power to the motor and regulates the
operation of the pump according to
the input from the solar PV array.
3. Pump Set: Pump sets generally com-
prise of the motor, which drives the op-
eration and the actual pump which
moves the water under pressure.
Advantages
1. Reliable and long life.
2. Produces water when its needed most.
3. Low labor and maintenance cost.
4. 4.No fuel costs.
india AUG15
 SOLAR POWER

Ministry of New
and Renewable
Energy (MNRE) is the
coordinating ministry to
implement solar water
pumping systems in
India
5. Easy to remove, transport, and store.
6. Non-polluting.

Schemes of Government of India

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
(MNRE) is the coordinating ministry to im-
plement solar water pumping systems in
India. Under this scheme MNRE is planning
to implement yearly 30,000 solar water
pumping systems in the field for irrigating
agriculture land. This programme is man-
aged and coordinated with the support of
NABARD. The following are some of the
highlights of the scheme,
The 40% subsidy is given to the bor-
rower( farmer ,group of individuals ,
NGOs ,farmers club )
The eligible borrowers shall apply to
the banks for sanction of the project.
The bank shall appraise the project as
per the norms and if found eligible,
sanction the loan excluding the mar-
gin subject to technical feasibility and
financial viability.
The subsidy will be the same for all
categories of borrowers throughout
the country.
The capital subsidy is applicable on
the system cost inclusive of installa-
tion, commissioning, transportation,
Solar water pumping systems installed for irrigating crops.
insurance, 5 year maintenance and tax
wherever applicable
Solar photovoltaic water pumping sys- pared to an overhead sprinkler system, ing hence photovoltaic generated power
tem is more cost-competitive when used and traditional flood irrigation system. In will become more cost-competitive option
to power a micro irrigation system as com- future, as prices of fossil fuels are increas- to irrigate agriculture crops.

Subsidy Structure
Sr. No SPV System Capacity Maximum subsidy (per hp)

Up to 2 HP 57,600
1 DC Pumps
>2 HP to 5 HP 54,000
Up to 2 HP 50,400
2 AC Pumps
>2 HP to 5 HP 43,200

3. For pumps >5 HP to 10 HP , Subsidy amount is fixed at Rs 1,94,400/- per pump

energetica india AUG15 5