How does photovoltaic solar irrigation work?
It is one of the most innovative techniques in terms of long-term agricultural production, in this article you will be able to know everything related to the advantages and disadvantages of the application of photovoltaic solar irrigation systems.
How does photovoltaic solar irrigation work?
The ideal is to initially locate a water source that is close to the cultivation system, from a well or small dam there you should install the motor pump. The energy supply is a great advantage since it does not require a power plant as a system, nor worry about feeding the power plant. For this you need to have:
- Water pump: It is responsible for sending the water to the irrigation system.
- Photovoltaic cells: These are the solar panels that are responsible for feeding energy to the water pump, through batteries.
- Regulators: they are in charge of protecting and sending the energy to the accumulators.
- Accumulators: These are the batteries responsible for making the water pump work.
- Inverter: It is in charge of converting the battery current into alternating current for the water pump, that is, from direct current DC to alternating current AC.
Once the location of the motor pump has been located or planned, which could be an underground water well or a river, there are two alternatives :
- Make an installation platform for solar panels.
- Make it portable.
You must attach and install the basic components described to start the operation of the water pump.
With the installation of an irrigation system with photovoltaic cells you have the following advantages.
What advantages does the photovoltaic irrigation system have with the conventional one?
One of the main concerns of the agricultural sector
- Savings due to maintenance: The transfer of fuel for the power plant and its maintenance have great savings , without counting on the infrastructure and personnel required for the transfer of the plant with the pump, with the solar panels and a battery. maintenance cost is minimal.
- Fixed Cost Savings: Expenditures in the agricultural sector for energy can cover 25% and sometimes up to 35% for consumption, with solar panels located in strategic places, at first the investment will be higher but in 6 months these costs will be rewarded by seeing that the bills have the minimum cost of electricity.
- Maneuverability: If you do not have a power plant but rather a large wiring, it is usually extended to a part of the field, but rather move the pump to the water source which implies a team effort – personnel , with photovoltaic cells it is not necessary to make a movement staff, with many systems able to be remotely monitored and automated.
- Long-term operability: electricity generating plants usually last two years, while solar panels can last 25 to 40 years depending on maintenance.
- Logistics: Solar panels are very practical in remote areas and for large extensions of land where a movement of equipment and machinery is required for water irrigation.
Yes, you want to apply an intensive irrigation system, take into account the observations made, if you have the initial investment capacity, do not hesitate to consider an irrigation system with photovoltaic cells.
