File:Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) - Technology, Economy, Impacts.pdf

English: Irrigation is essential for productive agriculture, driving productivity and protection yields from drought. However, many farmers still use either manual methods for irrigation or expensive diesel-powered water pumps. Solar-powered irrigation promises to ensure both efficient irrigation and productivity while being environmentally friendly. GIZ’s new report “Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS). Technology, Economy, Impacts” gives a comprehensive overview on the technology. The report examines different irrigation technologies, explains technical characteristics and the design of the system, illustrates maintenance and management requirements, investigates both its financial viability as well as its ecological impacts and offers a comparison of different tools available for designing and managing systems. Finally, the report dives deep by examining the potentials of SPIS in four country case studies, and discussing opportunities and barriers for distribution of SPIS, such as a lack of micro-credits for farmers interested in the technology. Read the full report here.