The Ultimate Guide to Solar Powered Water Pumps
What is a Solar Powered Water Pump?
Solar powered water pumps work in the same way as other water pumps, but they use the sun’s energy as their power source to deliver (pump) water for drinking, livestock, or irrigation purposes.
A solar powered water pump consists of:
- Solar panels: The size of a PV system depends on the solar power pump size, the amount of water required, and the vertical lift.
- Pump unit
- Controller or inverter (optional): Depending on whether the pump unit needs to use AC or DC power.
Types of Solar Water Pumps
There are two main categories of solar water pumps:
- Submersible Water Pumps: Used to lift water from great depths of up to 260 meters.
- Surface Water Pumps: Used to pump surface water from depths of 3-6 meters.
Within these categories, you will find several different pumping technologies, each with different qualities. These pumps are used for a variety of applications, depending on the user’s needs.
Surface Water Pumps
A solar powered surface water pump is placed on the ground surface near the water source. It sucks water up into the pump (suction lift) and then pushes it up or along to where the water is needed (discharge lift).
Main uses: Lakes, ponds, rivers, pools, and to pump water from one tank to another.
Special types of surface pumps:
- Portable Solar Water Pumps: Often used on farms to irrigate different areas. Due to their low weight, these water pumps with solar panels are easy to move around.
- Solar Pool Pumps: Used for filtering swimming pool water, reducing energy costs in sunny areas or locations without grid connection.
Submersible Water Pumps
A solar powered submersible water pump, as the name suggests, must be fully submerged to pump water. Their main use is in deep wells and boreholes to push water up to where it is needed. Since they are located inside the water, these pumps only “push” water and do not need to “suck” water.
Advantages of Using Solar Powered Water Pumps
There are several benefits to investing in a sun powered water pump:
- Zero running costs: Unlike diesel-operated water pumps that require fuel refills, solar water pumping systems only need sunlight. Once installed, there are no running costs.
- Environmental benefits: Solar water pumps do not need fossil fuels to run, making them environmentally friendly and reducing carbon footprint.
- Easy to transport and relocate: Compact sizes make it easy to relocate solar pumps when needed.
- Low to zero maintenance: Running on clean energy, solar water pumps are maintenance-free with no filters to change, oil levels to check, or tanks to clean.
Selecting the Right Solar Water Pump
Different solar water pumps are used for different applications, and the water level will determine which water pump to use. Surface pumps are best for water sources up to 7m deep, while submersible solar water pumps are ideal for deeper sources. Consulting with an expert is recommended to choose the right type of water pump solar powered for your specific needs.
Learn more: Solar Water Pumping Systems
Solar Water Pump Prices in Kenya
Solar pump prices in Kenya vary depending on the power and flow rate of the water pump and the solar water pump suppliers in Kenya. Higher power typically means higher prices, but solar water pumps offer exceptional value for money due to their low maintenance and zero fuel costs. The initial investment is recouped quickly, making them a cost-effective solution for agriculture and home or business use.
At Voltmatic Energy Solutions, we design and install quality water pumps solar system to guarantee high efficiency, longer lifespan, and a solid return on investment for our clients. Contact us today for a FREE consultation.
Phone: 0759 493 610
Email: info@voltmaticenergysolutions.co.ke