Solar Water Pumping

A complete line of Water Pumping products can be found here, in our store

Solar water pumping is used in remote locations to water livestock, irrigation, and for domestic water.

Many pumping applications are used with gravity fed tanks, where the pump will run until the tank is filled. The water is then released on an as needed basis to water gardens, vineyards, orchards, cattle, horses and other water needs.

Solar water pumps are specially designed to utilize DC electric power from solar electric panels. They must work during low light conditions at reduced power, without stalling or overheating. Most solar pumps run continiously (as long as there is sunshine) at a low pressure.

A pump controller is an electronic device used with most solar pumps. It acts like an automatic transmission, helping the pump to start and not to stall in weak sunlight. A solar tracker may be used to tilt the PV array as the sun moves across the sky. This increases daily energy gain by as much as 55%. With more hours of peak sun, a smaller pump and power system may be used, thus reducing overall cost. Water storage is important. Three to ten days' storage may be required, depending on climate and water usage.

A float switch can turn the pump off when the water tank fills, to prevent overflow. A solar panel array may be placed some distance away from the pump itself, even several hundred feet away.