Basics and SWOT Analysis of SPIS

Overview

In a Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) water can be extracted from different sources by a motor pump to water crops on a farmer’s field. The energy needed for this process comes from a solar generator which converts solar irradiation into electricity.

 

Among the renewables, solar Photovoltaic (PV) is often the most attractive option. It features a near-absence of running costs, little maintenance requirements and ease of use. In terms of CO2 emissions, an off-grid solar pumping system that replaces a typical diesel generator unit will save about 1 kg of CO2 per kilowatt-hour of output (GIZ, forthcoming). Due to falling costs for the components necessary for a PV pump, the renewable powered systems have become increasingly attractive from an economic perspective. However, many farmers in remote areas of the world do not know of these advantages of solar powered pumps, or if they do, non-technical barriers such as access to finance hinder an increased adoption of the systems.

 

Nevertheless, as prices for solar modules have fallen substantially in recent years, governments, extension services and technical cooperation are reconsidering PV water pumps to be employed in agricultural production and beyond. However, demand in this regard will have to be largely generated from the rural farm households themselves.

Basics of SPIS

The SPIS mainly consists of the following parts: Solar generator, control unit, storage tank, motor pump and the irrigation system. Some parts of the system can be modified, depending on different parameters such as solar irradiation, hydraulic lift or water output.