Solar Pumps

A properly designed solar pumping system will be efficient, simple and reliable.

Brian Hodge, Owner/Operator Advanced Solar Technologies
November 16, 2010

 

Conventional AC pumps are usually centrifugal pumps that turn at high speed to pump as many gallons per minute as possible. They also consume a large amount of power. If you run a centrifugal pump at ½ speed, it pumps ¼ the water. Their efficiency is very low at low speeds and when pumping against high pressure. If your water sources are remote from power lines, add up you long-term costs of fuel and repairs on generators, or the cost of utility line extensions.

Solar powered pumps can provide an equal volume of water per day without the high and inefficient energy demands of a large capacity AC pump. Instead of pumping a large volume of water in a short time and turning off, the solar pump works slowly and efficiently all day. Often a solar pump will work fine in a well with a recovery rate too slow for a conventional AC pump.

One of the advantages of providing additional sources of water for livestock use is increased forage utilization. On large tracts some areas are not fully utilized because they are too far from water. As you know, livestock will only travel so far between feed and water.

The economy and reliability of solar electric power make it an excellent choice for remote water pumping.

If your water source is 1/3 mile or more from the power line, solar is a favorable economic choice. This face is reinforced by a number of Rural Electric Cooperatives across the US. These Co-ops actively advocate the use of solar pumps, as the cost to extend new lines is subsidized by other rate payers.

There are still thousands of windmill water pumping units standing in the Western US. Regrettably, many are inoperable. These pumpers were very valuable for remote (off grid) sites, with the proper minimum wind conditions, when manpower was plentiful and cheap. Windmills, though potentially long lasting, need dedicated maintenance. The down hold leathers require inspection and high winds can cause mechanical damage to the blades. Parts for these mills are expensive and sometimes hard to find.

Solar water pumping systems have many advantages over windmill water pumpers. Though the initial cost of solar powered systems can be similar to that of windmill (however, in many cases far less) the life time costs are much lower. Windmills must be used where there is a steady, constant wind for maximum results while solar pumps operate anywhere the sun shines. Solar pumping systems can be installed in less than a day by an individual or small crew and can be portable, while windmills (because of the need to erect a tower) can take a larger crew and much longer time to install. Windmills are secured to the ground and are stationary. Solar powered water pumping systems are the modern day upgraded version of the windmill which uses natural resources to deliver water in off grid locations.

Because of the low cattle prices of today, the cost of water is a prime concern for a rancher. Every dollar wasted on an inefficient water system is a dollar off profit out of the rancher’s pocket.