Solar-Powered Pressure Pumps

Solar pumps are designed to receive DC power directly from the solar units.It also specially designed to operate even when there is less sunlight.Conventional AC-powered pumps require a steady voltage and frequency to operate but solar pumps can operate over a wide range of voltage and available current. Solar pumps can be used where grid electricity is unavailable and alternative sources provide sufficient energy. The operation of solar powered pressure pumps is more cheap mainly due to the lower maintenance and operation costs and has less environmental effect than pumps powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE).

A solar powered pump system has three parts

Solar Panels

An electrical controller

An electric-powered pump

Solar Panels

PV panels are made up of a series of solar cells. Each solar cell has two or more specially prepared layers of semiconductor material that produce DC electricity when exposed to sunlight. A single, typical solar cell can generate approximately 3 watts of energy in full sunlight.The semiconductor layers can be either crystalline or thin film. The solar panels make up most of the systems cost.

Electrical Controller

It compares the input power available from the solar panels with the output power that the pump receives. The controller normally includes a main switch to provide an electrical disconnect of the PV if the voltage is too low or too high for the operating voltage range of the pump. This increases the lifetime of the pump thus reducing the need for maintenance.The performance of the electrical controller will vary depending on the type of controller selected.

An electric-powered pump

Solar pump motors uses AC or DC Voltage.Direct current motors are used for small to medium applications. Smaller solar panels can be used DC systems as it tend to have overall higher efficiency levels than AC pumps of same size, the costs are reduced. AC motors are also used but they require more complex control systems. Depending on the water source the type of pump configuration and mounting can be either submersible, surface mount or floating.Solar-powered pumps are characterized as either positive displacement pumps or centrifugal pumps.

Types of Solar Pressure Pumps

Solar pumps are of two types. Surface pumps placed above ground and move water through pipes. These are useful for moving large quantities of water at a slow speed. These are commonly found on farms or large irrigation systems where water needs to be moved from a lake or other body to fields or landscaping. Next is Submersiblesolar water pumps. Its solar panels are connected above ground and units are placed underground. Submersible pumps are used to move water from inside wells to the surface.

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