Solar Water Pumping Systems

Solar Water Pumps

Solar pv panels are increasingly used in remote locations to directly drive high efficiency solar water pumps. Applications include borehole pumping, wells, irrigation and water transfer.

At the EDC, we supply complete off-grid solar powered pumping systems, custom designed to your exact requirements. We also offer solar pumps and power system components for adding to an existing power system.

As with most pv applications, the efficiency of the pump is critical. Modern ultra-efficient solar pumps result in low power draw and allow pumping from a relatively small solar pv array. These pumps are directly powered from DC, avoiding the need for an inverter and it's associated losses.

There is a natural relationship between the availability of solar power and the need for water. Solar pumps provide peak power and maximum water flow when it is needed most.

Most water pumping applications don't involve batteries - the water is simply pumped when there is enough daylight. The water is normally pumped into a large water tank which acts as storage, enabling access to water at anytime.

Solar pumps require no fuel and little or no maintenance. This has significantly contributed to their rapidly increasing popularity.

Selecting a Solar Pump

All solar pumps are rated according to their lift & flow rates. Therefore the first thing that needs to be established is the vertical lift, also taking into account any long horizontal pipe runs.

The required flow rate then needs to be identified. The internal diameter of the pipe is important, as is the smooth internal surface of the pipe. Both of these factors add resistance to the water flow, and thus decrease flow rates.

Lorentz - one of the world's leading solar pump manufacturers, provide an information sheet to help with pipe size calculations: Pipe Sizing PDF.

All solar pump manufacturers provide detailed charts & flow rate information, together with details about the amount of solar pv power required.

For full details about the pumps we supply, please visit our online catalogue & webstore, where you can obtain prices, data sheets and user manuals. Pump section here.

If you would like to contact our system design team for advice on a suitable pump, please provide details of the lift, required flow rates, running times and a location for the pumping system.

Related Information

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