SPIS - Get Informed

Module Aim and Orientation

Due to significant advances in technology and drops in prices for solar panels, solar pumps have become an economical, technically and environmentally viable alternative to conventional pumping systems.

Nevertheless, few people are aware of the potential and risks associated with solar pumping for irrigation. Often the solar pump is not optimally integrated into the irrigation system, which results in inefficiencies. Consequently demand amongst producers is low and the reluctance of financial institutions to finance them is high.
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The GET INFORMED module provides essential information for agricultural advisors and financial service providers to understand the operating principle of SPIS and to differentiate between the individual system components. Moreover, it starts to describe how the different configurations of the components can influence the performance of the entire system. The GET INFORMED module will allow agricultural and financial service providers to support potential users of SPIS with up-to-date information on the pros and cons of the technology and its individual components.

The GET INFORMED module forms the basis of this manual. It is followed by the PROMOTE & INITIATE and SAFEGUARD WATER modules, which describe how the SPIS technology can be promoted in a particular area and in an environmentally sustainable way. The FINANCE module outlines different ways of financing SPIS components and configurations. The final three modules, DESIGN, SET UP and MAINTAIN, are closely linked to the GET INFORMED module because they describe the specific design and maintenance features of the components under different system configurations. These modules give an insight into the financial viability, technical feasibility and sustainability of investments in SPIS in a particular setting.

Brief Description of the Module

Compared to conventional energy systems, the use of solar energy has some specific characteristics, which must be considered when planning a solar-powered irrigation system (see DESIGN module).

The following steps describe in detail the available configurations and individual system components of an SPIS operating under constantly varying conditions due to daily and seasonal fluctuations.
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The description of the individual components of an SPIS and the relations between them are preceded by information on the basics of solar energy and irrigation. When solar energy and irrigation are combined in one production system we call this a Solar-Powered Irrigation System. Typical configurations of SPIS are presented in this module and in the DESIGN module.

Chapters

0. Basics
1. Solar generator
2. Mounting structure
3. Controller and inverter
4. Water pump
5. Monitoring system
6. Reservoir
7. Irrigation head
8. Fertigation system
9. Irrigation system

Tools

• There are no tools under this module.

Further Readings, Links and Tools Glossary Abbreviations

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