Solar powered irrigation system for turf area

Abstract EN

Solar water pumping system may be a competitive application for remote and luxurious areas where power costs a lot.

One may argue that solar photovoltaic water pumping systems not only comprises an environmentally friendly solution, but also contributes substantially to the satisfaction of remote communities' water consumption needs.

Therefore, the study aimed to manage pump for sprinkler irrigation system operated by solar power in small area of turf.

The required hydraulic experiment and measurements were conducted using Direct-coupled photovoltaic pumping system to operating sprinkler irrigation network at the experimental farm of soil and water Research Department, Nuclear Research Center, located at Inshas, Sharkia Governorate, Atomic Energy Authority, Egypt.

The essential idea to operate the sprinkler irrigation system and fulfill the water needs of turf area was to use a locally assembled pump-set to match the photovoltaic generator unsteady output.

Results indicated that, solar radiation increased during summer (April and July), so the electric power, pump discharge, pressure head, Hydraulic horsepower (hp) and Photovoltaic conversion efficiency are affected as solar radiation changed.

Four mathematical equations has been derived to illustrate the relationship between solar radiation and electric power, pump discharge pressure head, water hp and Photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PVCE) during the day hours.