Benefits Of The Solar Water Pump
If you are one of those people who live in remote areas where running standard piping for water is not cost effective, then you may be considering the purchase of a solar water pump. These pumps have been used to pump water for crop irrigation, livestock, and have even been used for domestic water in remote areas. There are different kinds of solar pumps, so you will want to select the one that works best for your application.
Surface solar pumps are good to use with ponds, streams, shallow wells and storage tanks. They work best if the water supply is within 20 feet of the surface. Although their vertical lift is only 10 to 20 feet, they can push the water up to 200 feet or more horizontally.
A submersible solar water pump can fit in a well casing that is 4” or larger and can lift a vertical distance of up to about 650 or 700 feet. If the water supply is more than 20 feet from the surface, you will need this type of pump rather than a surface pump. Different power sources can be used, such as solar panels and batteries, while some can even run off of AC power.
The circulating pumps are generally used for water heating applications, rather than for other needs.
When looking for a solar water pump, you will need to remember that the solar panels are generally sold separately, and the number of panels you need will depend on the type of pump you choose and the amount of water you are pumping daily. Manufacturers of these pumps provide tables or graphs to show the number of panels or the number of watts of solar panels you will need at specific voltages so that you can get your required water flow, measured in GPD or GPM. By using these tables, you will be able to determine which and how many panels you will require for the job at hand.