All You Need to Know About Investing in a Solar Pump Kit
If you’re looking for a way to install an electric pump to transfer water in a remote area, away from the mains, a solar pump might be the right solution for your problem. A solar water pump is similar to any other pumping system, only it’s powered directly by the sun. It can provide you with a constant, reliable, and clean water supply throughout the year. A solar pump kit consists of three parts, such as the following.
Solar Panels
They are mounted on a post or a frame and provide electricity to the pump.
Controller and Switches
The power is fed into a control unit, which ensures a constant amount of the right voltage of power is fed into the motor, allowing the pump to function. The switches turn the pump on and off whenever water is required or not.
Pump
The pump consists of a multistage pump on a floating platform or a floating submersible bore pump. Both of them are designed to pump from the water they’re floating in and supply the pipework that’s attached. The pump system is usually a fixed installation near a dam, bore or river.
Aspects to Consider When Choosing a Solar Pumping Kit
There is a multitude of combinations to form the perfect solar pump for your needs. Most importantly, you need to consider the choice of solar panels, solar inverter and the type of pump. You can find a solar pump kit that’s efficient and effective and can meet your needs, whether you’ll be using it at your home, garden, orchard, direct irrigation system, farm, reservoir, well pump, pond, or elsewhere.
There are two basic types of solar water pumps out there. One type has no energy storage capacity, while the other uses a battery to store the solar power and operate the pump. Whatever you choose, a solar water pump is a very beneficial and cost-effective alternative to a mainstream water pump that uses electricity from the grid.
Additionally, pumps are classified as submersible and surface pumps, based on their placement (whether it’s underwater or above the waterline). Some of the most often used solar water pumps on farms and outback stations in Australia are surface and bore water pumps. These solar water pumps are used to supply bore and surface sourced water to livestock.
The main components in a solar pumping system include a PV (photovoltaic) array, an electric motor and a pump. Solar water pumping systems are classified as AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current), based on the ability of their motor. The concept of brushless DC motors for solar pumping applications was presented recently and is becoming quite popular on the market.
Advantages of Investing in a Solar Pump
As we all know, all new technologies have their pros and cons. The greatest advantage of solar pumps is that they are reliable in remote and regional areas. They are easy to transport and relocate, so they can be organised according to the needs of the farm. In addition to this, there are a few more advantages solar pumps offer, such as the following.
No Fuel Costs
In rural areas, it’s not so easy to have a direct connection from the grid and in that case, a solar water pump is the best choice you can make. The energy of the sun powers the water pump, so you won’t have to think about electricity bills at all.
Easy to Install
Installing a solar water pump is easy since there is no need for special wiring, plumbing or an electrical outlet. By definition, an efficient solar-powered water pump receives plenty of sunlight and is installed specifically to the needs of the farm.
Low Maintenance
Solar pumps require less labour and maintenance as you won’t run out of fuel, so you won’t need to travel to the petrol station whenever you need water for your daily tasks. Also, investing in a solar pump with a good warranty period is a good idea as it won’t require a lot of servicing and regular maintenance. The ease of maintenance applies to the surface solar pumps, the ones that are not submerged in water as they don’t need to be kept watertight and are repairable. All you need are some basic tools that you surely have on your farm. However, it’s important to keep your solar panels clean. When they are clean, they can keep producing as much as energy possible.
Environmentally Friendly
Solar water pumps are part of an environmentally friendly approach – they are sustainable and use renewable energy. Presented as a clean, simple and energy-efficient alternative to traditional electric and fuel-driven pump sets, they can be used to exploit different regions, whether they’re poor or developed.
Sometimes the upfront cost may be seen as a disadvantage and can be a barrier to some farmers, as you need to purchase the water pump and panels at the same time. But if you look at it from a long-term perspective, solar pumps are the cheaper option when it comes to irrigation during dry and sunny weather. Think about how long you’ll need your water pump to last and consider the costs of fuel and maintenance over this time. In the end, you may end up saving some money in the long run.
