PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF SOLAR WATER PUMP DISCHARGE

EFFICIENCY AT VARIABLE HEADS UNDER DIFFERENT WEATHER

CONDITION AND PROSPECTS OF SOLAR RADIATION

Basharat Javaid
Director, Water Management Training Institute, Lahore
Directorate General Agriculture
(Water Management) Punjab
 INTRODUCTION
The sun is the natural source of energy for an independent water
supply. Solar pumps operate anywhere the sun shines, and the longer
it shines, the more water they pumps

Agricultural production through irrigation with electric tubewells is hit

badly by energy crises as the grid electricity in remote areas is
extremely short

The use of renewable energy resources and replacement of existing

non-renewable energy source of fossil fuels for irrigation tubewells
with renewable energy such as solar or wind could be a viable option
 PROSPECTS OF SOLAR ENERGY IN PAKISTAN

Solar energy is available for more than 300 days a year in Pakistan
with about 6-8 hours effective daylight hours.

Most parts of the Pakistan receive very high solar radiation

intensities about (5kwh/m2 /day)

The arid/ semi-arid climate of the Punjab provides ideal conditions for
adoption of solar energy for operating irrigation water pumps.

In the present scenario, when the electricity is insufficient for

domestic use and fuel prices are increasing exponentially, solar
water pumps could be a viable solution for irrigation
PROSPECTS OF SOLAR ENERGY IN PAKISTAN
 IMPORTANCE OF SOLAR WATER PUMPING

A natural match between the availability of sunlight and the need

for water.

A reliable, efficient, sustainable and cost effective energy option

for agriculture

It will create awareness among the farming community for

conservation of resources and helped them to overcome
hesitation in adoption of new interventions
 JUSTIFICATION
More than one million tubewells in Pakistan including 750,000 diesel and
70,000 electricity operated in the Punjab, consuming enormous fuel and
energy
Government is heavily subsidizing electric tariff for agricultural
tubewells putting additional burden on national exchequer
Agricultural production through irrigation with electric tubewells is hit
badly by energy crises as the grid electricity in remote areas is
extremely short
The replacement of existing non-renewable energy source of fossil fuels
for irrigation tubewells with renewable energy resources such as solar
or wind is a viable option
 SOLAR TECHNOLOGY

When light falls on the active surface, the electrons in a

solar cell become energized and Photovoltaic array
converts solar energy directly into electricity as DC

The power from a solar system and the volume of water

pumped varies with the amount of solar radiation

The pump will have its own optimum discharge

depending on the type and size of panel/ motor
 COMPONENTS OF SOLAR WATER PUMP

Photovoltaic pumps are consist up of three main

components
Power Source
Photovoltaic solar module

Motor (AC/ DC) & Pump

Submersible

Centrifugal

Power Controllers
Inverter

Maximum Power Point Tracker

POWER SOURCE (PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE)
SUBMERSIBLE PUMP
INVERTOR
 METHODOLOGY

When the Photovoltaic (PV) module (array) is exposed to

sunlight and light falls on the active surface, the electrons in
a solar cell become energized and Photovoltaic array
converts solar energy directly into electricity as Direct
Current DC

The Photovoltaic PV module can also be used for AC

applications using an inverter. Photovoltaic PV is especially
suitable for water pumping because energy need not be
stored for night pumping. Instead, water can be stored to
supply water at night

The power from a solar system and the volume of water

pumped varies with the amount of solar radiation
 WORKING OF SOLAR WATER PUMP
The system mainly consists of PV
array, inverter, controller, submersible pump and water tank.
A photovoltaic array is use to collect solar radiation and converts

directly into electricity as DC and then into AC through Inverter

The pump will have an electric motor to drive it and use to transfer of

fluid

An appropriate water tank to store water for later use.

Stands for the PV array has the tracking function (by manual

regulating the stands), significantly increasing the working time of the

system to pump more water.

SOLAR WATER PUMP
INSTALLATION OF SOLAR WATER PUMP
BORING FOR SOLAR WATER PUMP
FOUNDATION FOR STANDS
INSTALLATION OF PANEL
PILOT TESTING OF SOLAR WATER
PUMPS
 PROJECT DIGEST
Name of the Project
PILOT TESTING OF SOLAR WATER PUMPS
Location
The project will be implemented through out the Punjab province by
installing nine (9) Solar Water Pumps at selected government farms.
Sponsoring
Government of the Punjab through Agriculture Department
Execution
The Punjab Agriculture Department through Directorate General
Agriculture (Water Management) Punjab, Lahore
o Supply & Services Companies
Project Period
2009-10 to 2011-12
Project Cost
19.22 million
 PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of the project include, interalia, the
followings
Assess the effects of solar radiation (insolation) on solar array
outputs and subsequent variations in pumpage at various
locations around the province.
Evaluate the performance of different types of solar energy
arrays (fixed & moving) over extended periods of time under
different agro-climatic conditions as the rated specifications
given by manufacturers generally reflect peak performances
under ideal conditions and do not accurately indicate long term
performance under less than ideal or poor conditions.
Compare manufacturers specifications under less than ideal or
poor conditions.
 PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Compare manufacturers specifications under less than ideal or poor
conditions.
Find out pros and cons of using fixed array systems having lower cost and
better stability but lower efficiency, versus solar tracking arrays which
have higher efficiencies but are more expensive and difficult to maintain.
Integration of solar energy pumping units with different high efficiency
irrigation systems such as drip, trickle, gated pipes etc.
Determine the most optimum configuration, in terms of
efficiency, economic viability and reliability.
Develop most optimum cropping patterns (year round) which offer
maximum returns to investments in solar energy pumping systems.
 PROJECT COMPONENTS

The main components envisaged for proposed scheme

include, interalia, the followings.
Installation of 9 Solar Water Pumps at selected government farms in

the province

Construction of water storage tank

Data collection of each site and its compilation

Training / Capacity building of the operator (Field Assistant) in

operation, maintenance, and management of solar water pumps

Contd
Advantages
No fuel requirement for operation
A little maintenance
Environmentally benign
Long panel life (15-20 years)

Limitations
High initial capital cost
Uses unfamiliar technology
o DC motors
o Submersible pumps
o Alternator/ batteries for operating AC motors
Difficulty for arranging repair / spare parts
Susceptible to theft and vandalism
 SELECTION CRITERIA
The government farm were selected primarily on basis of
following criteria

Water of the farm is fit for irrigation

Provide 4 acres cultivated (preferably fertile, not barren/virgin) piece

of land free of cost for project activities

Preferably shallow watertable

Preference will be given to the farm where high efficiency irrigation

system has already been installed

Contd
BASIC INFORMATION OF SITE AT SHEIKHUPURA

Sr.
Particular Description
No
N 31 42.541
1 GPS Coordinates
E 73 57.971

2 Water table Depth (Meters) 20

3 Water Quality Good

Vegetables & Crops (Tomato,
4 Existing Crops
Wheat, Rice)
5 Crop to be Grown (Wheat, Vegetables )

6 Current Irrigation Method Conventional (Furrow Irrigation)

7 Proposed Irrigation Method Furrow & Flood Irrigation

8 Soil Type Clay loam
 EFFECT OF GROUND WATER TABLE (H) ON DISCHARGE
AT CONSTANT POWER

Power
Head
2KW 3KW 4KW

H1 (25 ft) 14 17 22.667

H2 (45 ft) 10 14 17.667

H3 (65 ft) 7.333 9.667 14

Discharge in LPS
Discharge and Head
Relationship of Discharge with Duration
Relationship of Discharge with Duration
Discharge Difference among different districts
 SUMMARY

The increasing fuel prices day by day and depletion of fossil fuel
reserves is making a question mark on the reliability of diesel
operated water pumping systems.
The shortfall of electricity in Pakistan and the decreasing capacity of
current water storage reservoirs is also an alarming sign which forces
the farmers to look for alternatives of the conventional water pumping
options.
The sun shine hours are abundant enough throughout the year in
Pakistan; therefore, solar water pumping is a reliable option for remote
areas.
The 1.8 KW solar water pumping system is adequate for generating an
optimum flow rate for 3-4 acre and will be more effective if use with
drip irrigation
Thanks