Advantages And Applications Of Solar Irrigation System

The use of solar energy in agriculture is becoming more common, and the energy produced by this renewable energy source can be used on farms or on the local grid, providing farmers with additional income.

One of the areas of agriculture that benefits the most from solar energy is irrigation, especially in arid regions. The main reason is the use of sun irrigation, which is a virtuous cycle: when the sun is shining, it feeds the irrigation system, and we know that when the sun is shining a lot, the crops need more water. Therefore, a large amount of energy can be obtained when actually needed.

How does a solar irrigation system work?

The pumps used to transport the water are equipped with solar cells. The solar energy absorbed by the battery is then converted into electricity by a generator, which then supplies power to the electric motor that drives the pump. Most conventional pump systems are primarily used with diesel engines or the local grid. However, these two modes of operation have disadvantages compared to solar pumps.

In many rural areas, especially in developing and emerging countries, grid access is not always guaranteed. In this case, farmers cannot rely on traditional irrigation systems. Therefore, using an independent alternative energy system can be a solution for farmers to ensure safe power and avoid saturation of the public grid.

Diesel pumps are slightly more efficient than AC pumps because of their greater flexibility. However, one of the main limitations is that the system relies on fuel availability, adding a greater impact on the environment. Diesel-driven pumps are cheaper than solar-powered pumps, but running costs are considerably higher and depend heavily on diesel prices. In a solar powered system, it does the reverse, i.e. although the system is relatively expensive, the energy is free and after the amortization period, there are no longer operating costs to consider.

Many Indian and African farmers take water directly from wells or rivers and irrigate their fields with buckets. If farmers in these areas had access to motorized pumps, their yields would increase by 300 percent.

Where are solar irrigation systems mostly used?

The installation of solar pumps in arid regions such as Africa, India and South America is also part of a number of development projects aimed at increasing the productivity of local farmers and thus improving their living conditions.

In addition to the aforementioned regions, the use of solar irrigation systems is also increasing in Europe. Just a few months ago, a mobile solar drip irrigation system in Austria was already in production. A local Austrian company implemented this project, which pursues a dual goal: on the one hand, a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions due to the use of solar energy, and, on the other hand, a water saving of 30% due to the drip irrigation method. Traditional sprinkler irrigation.

The principle of the drip irrigation method is simple. Through the use of various valves, hoses and pipes, the water can be slowly and gradually dripped down to the roots of the plants. Therefore, no water is wasted because the water goes directly where it is supposed to go, as opposed to sprinkler systems where water evaporates into the air or seeps into the soil where no plants are growing. Therefore, the drip irrigation method is able to grow more crops with less water, making it an efficient irrigation method.

In solar irrigation systems, mobile solar systems with photovoltaic modules (up to 3kW) are connected to wheel pumps that can pump from wells or rivers. With the help of an app on your smartphone, you can determine the energy produced by the system. The solar pump then distributes the water through the hose directly to the crops.

Therefore, drip irrigation systems contribute to effective water management in countries that suffer from high temperatures and scarce water resources. This is even more important because farmers must face three challenges: saving water, money and energy. Mobile solar drip irrigation systems will be the perfect solution to these challenges. While these systems are still very expensive and difficult to solve, many R&D projects are working towards democratizing the use of solar energy in agriculture, with a future playing an important role in management.