Solar driven irrigation system (SPIS) is a step heading for smart and conservative agriculture. Driven on solar energy, these systems eliminate the use of fuels as well as farm expenses. Solar power is abundantly available on the earth making the system widely useful to users, even residing in remote areas. This clean technology helps to reduce the emission of Green House gases and saves the environment.
Although the SPIS initial investments are high, studies found them as an economically viable and profitable alternative to the conventional ones. Choosing a PV panel equipped irrigation system, helps to avail the following benefits-
Minimizing Green House Gas emissions.
Energy independence in remote areas.
Water accessibility during a dry spell and dry season
Improvement of income, food security and nutrition.
SPIS components:
PV (photovoltaic) Panels for generating the electricity (forms major cost of SPIS)
A mounting structure for PV panels
A surface or submersible water pump
A distribution system and/or storage tank
Pre Requisite conditions for SPIS –
Before installing the system, one must keep the mentioned points in mind -
Sufficient solar irradiations must be available per unit area on the land surface. The higher the solar irradiation, the smaller would be the area required by the PV panels.
For the setup of the system, proper unshaded land must be available. The components of the system require strong support to stand.
The water source for satisfying the plants’ needs.
Appropriate water quality also impacts the system
Moreover, the air temperature and the depth of the water source influence the efficiency and the economics of the SPIS.
Costs for SPIS -
The expenditure in setting up the SPIS varies accordingly to the following factors-
The required flow rate of water and the pumping head affects the PV Panel capacity. The cost is then determined by the PV panel capacity.
Import taxes for the PV Panel and its related equipment
The requirements and dimensions of water storage facilities or battery storage.
The requirement of water filtration or fertigation equipment.