SPIS Maintain
Introduction
The Toolbox on Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) is designed to enable advisors, service providers and practitioners in the field of solar irrigation to provide broad hands-on guidance to end-users, policy-makers and financiers. Risks related to system efficiency, financial viability and the unsustainable use of water resources can thus be minimized. The Toolbox comprises informative modules supplemented with user-friendly software tools (calculations sheets, checklists, guidelines). read more
Modules and tools touch upon:
- assessing the water requirements,
- comparing the financial viability,
- determining farm profitability and payback of investment in SPIS,
- sustainably design and maintain a SPIS,
- highlight critical workmanship quality aspects,
- and many more.
Module Aim and Orientation
Maintaining an SPIS does not require advanced technical skills. The overall effort is relatively low when compared to most other technologies. However, it does require good and systematic monitoring to anticipate problems and react timely to service needs. Given the relatively high initial investment in SPIS, it is important to properly maintain each component. In addition, it is important to monitor changes in other factors that affect the performance of the system, such as water availability, soil health, etc.
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In the GET INFORMED module the individual components of an SPIS, as well as common system configurations are described. Each component has specific maintenance requirements. The service provider maintaining the SPIS also finds useful information on its promotion in the PROMOTE & INITIATE module. During the maintenance routines the sustainable water abstraction rates should be checked as described in the module SAFEGUARD WATER. The FINANCE module gives an insight into financing SPIS components and configurations in different ways. The costs and efforts for maintaining the SPIS are also considered in the previous modules DESIGN and SET UP.
Process Steps
The maintenance routines will influence the efficiency of operation as well as the lifetime of the SPIS. The plan can be formulated by the producer with the help of a professional service provider. This module provides examples of maintenance checklists. It is important that the maintenance activities are documented and monitored precisely.
Chapters
- Establish and refine maintenance plan
- Select suitable service provider
- Implement maintenance routines
- Implement and monitoring
