{"id":3078,"date":"2017-10-29T12:39:56","date_gmt":"2017-10-29T09:39:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/market.graduatefarmer.co.ke\/?p=3078"},"modified":"2018-11-26T13:17:48","modified_gmt":"2018-11-26T13:17:48","slug":"advantages-of-using-a-solar-pump-for-your-farm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/graduatefarmer.co.ke\/marketplace\/2017\/10\/29\/advantages-of-using-a-solar-pump-for-your-farm\/","title":{"rendered":"Advantages of using a Solar Pump for your Farm"},"content":{"rendered":"

A reliable and clean water supply is an essential need in Kenya but a large number of people currently lack this basic provision. Solar water pumps is a socially and environmentally attractive technology to supply water in Kenya. Especially if the need for water is in remote locations in Kenya which are beyond the reach of power lines, solar power is often the economically preferred technology.<\/p>\n

Solar water pumps can supply water to locations which are\u00a0beyond\u00a0the reach of power\u00a0lines in Kenya. Commonly, such places rely\u00a0on human or animal power or on diesel engines for their water supply. Solar water pumps can replace the current\u00a0pump systems and result in both socio-economic benefits as well as climate related benefits.\u00a0The\u00a0water supplied by the solar water pump can be used to irrigate crops, water livestock or provide potable drinking water.<\/p>\n

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A solar water pump system is essentially an electrical pump system in which the electricity is provided by one or several solar (PhotoVoltaic) panels.\u00a0A typical solar powered pumping system consists of a solar panel array that powers an electric motor, which in turn powers the solar pump. The water is often pumped from a borehole, pond or river into a storage tank that provides a gravity feed, so energy storage is not needed for these systems<\/p>\n

Using a solar powered water pump is the most sensible invention in the farm: Automatic irrigation powered by the sun is pure genius. You need to water most when it\u2019s sunny, so use the sunshine to pump the water! For farmers in Kenya, using a solar pump reduces a lot of headache challenges that comes with farming. The cost of pumping water usually affects a lot of farmers in Kenya who are fighting to make some profit from their farm.<\/p>\n

Taking a look at the table below, we will compare different water pumping methods used in Kenya against solar pumps and see how they perform:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Solar Powered Water Pumps VS other Remote Watering Options<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pumping Technology<\/strong><\/td>\nAdvantages<\/strong><\/td>\nDisadvantages<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Solar Pump<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Low maintenance<\/li>\n
  • No fuel costs or spills<\/li>\n
  • Easy to install<\/li>\n
  • Simple and reliable<\/li>\n
  • Unattended operation<\/li>\n
  • System can be made to be mobile<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Potentially high initial costs<\/li>\n
  • Lower output in cloudy weather<\/li>\n
  • Must have good sun exposure between 9 AM and 3 PM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diesel or gas<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Moderate capital costs<\/li>\n
  • Can be portable<\/li>\n
  • Extensive experience available<\/li>\n
  • Easy to install<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Needs maintenance and replacement<\/li>\n
  • Maintenance often inadequate, reducing lifetime of system<\/li>\n
  • Fuel often expensive and supply intermittent<\/li>\n
  • Noise, dirt and fume problems<\/li>\n
  • Site visits necessary<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Windmill<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Potentially long lasting<\/li>\n
  • Works well in windy site<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • High maintenance and costly repair<\/li>\n
  • Difficult to find parts<\/li>\n
  • Seasonal disadvantages<\/li>\n
  • Need special tools for installation<\/li>\n
  • Labor intensive<\/li>\n
  • No wind, no power<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gravity System<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Very low cost<\/li>\n
  • Low maintenance<\/li>\n
  • No fuel costs or spills<\/li>\n
  • Easy to install<\/li>\n
  • Simple and reliable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Only feasible in a small number places<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ram (Hydram Pump)<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Very low cost<\/li>\n
  • Low maintenance<\/li>\n
  • No fuel costs or spills<\/li>\n
  • Easy to install<\/li>\n
  • Simple and reliable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Requires moving water as a operational necessity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hauling<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Lowest initial costs<\/li>\n
  • Excellent mobility<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n