I.

Introduction
The sun is a powerful source of renewable energy for our planet. It has been estimated that on an
average 1000 watts per unit earth area (m2) are available from the sun during one hour. This
incident solar energy can be harnessed through Photovoltaic (PV) systems to produce electricity
for subsequent uses. The energy harnessed from the sun is known as solar energy and is
considered as the most reliable resource among the available renewable energy sources.
a). Background of solar powered water pump
Photovoltaic water pumping system is one of the best alternative methods for irrigation. The
variation of spatial and temporal distribution of available water for irrigation makes significant
demand on water conservation techniques. Hence solar powered Automated Irrigation System
provides a sustainable solution to enhance water use efficiency in the agricultural fields using
renewable energy system removes workmanship that is needed for flooding irrigation.
Environmental pollution is prevented with renewable energy and energy production from local
resources is encouraged. The use of this photo-irrigation system will be able to contribute to the
socio-economic development. This system conserves electricity by reducing the usage of grid
power and conserves water by reducing water losses. Proposed system is easy to implement and
environment friendly solution for irrigating fields. The system was found to be successful when
implemented for bore holes as they pump over the whole day. Solar pumps also offer clean
solutions with no danger of bore hole contamination. The system requires minimal maintenance
and attention as they are self-starting. Solar energy is the most abundant source of energy in the
world. Solar power is not only an answer to today’s energy crisis but also an environmental
friendly form of energy. Photovoltaic generation is an efficient approach for using the solar
energy.
Nowadays, as the increasing shortage of water resources, promote water saving irrigation
technology and has become the inevitable choice to fill the water crisis. Today the generation is
heading towards ultra-technologies. Water pumping has a long history; so many methods have
been developed to pump water. People have used a variety of power sources, namely human
energy, animal power, hydro power, wind, solar and fuels such a diesel for small generators.
The most common pumps used in remote communities are:
 Hand pumps  Direct drive diesel driven
borehole pumps
  Electric submersible pumps  Solar submersible pump
with diesel generator
b). Problem Statement
Agriculture in East Wollega is carried out mostly under rain fed conditions. Almost 80 to 85% of
farming in this area is dependent on the whims of the seasonal rains. Therefore, in such regions
farmers choose their crops in such a way that even under adverse climatic conditions, they get
something to subsist on. Their main concern is to maximize the economic gain. Low growth of
agricultural production accompanied with high magnitude of variability there in is the major
problems of agriculture. Therefore, irrigation facilities are required to be developed. The main
sources of water in this area include canals, wells, pump irrigation and tube wells. There are
various attempts being made to make water available in seasons other than rainy seasons. It is
particularly hard in the some plateau area because of the terrain and unavailability of
groundwater resources in these plateau areas. One way to overcome this problem is to build
water interventions across rivers and use the water stored in the remaining seasons. Not only
irrigation, drinking water is tough to find too in these area in summers.
 II. Objectives
General Objectives
To main objectives of this project is after studying the water problems around rural and also
urban areas then giving solution or to solve the water problem by simple and cheap methods in
our environment.

Specific Objectives
 To design the easily understandable, affordable and reliable water pumping system
especially in rural areas.
 To reduce the amount of electric power required for water pumping.
 To increase the techno economic feasibility.
 Manufacture the machine and distribute to the society.

III. Methodology

To achieve the objectives we used both primary and secondary sources.

 The Primary sources

Among the primary sources we use:
 Visual observation.
 Interview to local manufacturers.
 The secondary sources
Among the secondary sources we use:
 Referring books.
 Discussion with advisor.
 Previous experience.
 Referring different internet links.
We used the primary sources like interviews and visual observations to identify and
analyze the existing problems that should have to be solved.
The secondary sources like reference books, discussion with advisor, referring different
internet links are used for better designing, analyzing and manufacturing the machine.
 IV. EXPECTED RESULTS
After finishing this project the movable solar powered water pump machine has more value since
it is operated by person and depends on natural light. And also used any where we want since it
is movable from place to place.

V. BENEFITS
PV pumping system has many advantages which are summarized as following:
(i) Low operating cost: One of the important advantages is the negligible operating cost of the
pump. Since there is no fuel required for the pump like electricity or diesel, the operating cost is
minimal.
(ii) Low maintenance: A well-designed solar system requires little maintenance beyond
cleaning of the panels once a week.
(iii) Harmonious with nature: Another important advantage is that it gives maximum water
output when it is most needed i.e. in hot and dry months.
(iv) Flexibility: The panels need not be right beside the well. They can be anywhere up to 20
meters away from the well, or anywhere you need the water. These pumps can also be turned on
and off as per the requirement, provided the period between two operations is more than 30
seconds.
Limitations of PV Pumping System
PV pumping system has its various limitations which are as following:
(v) Low yield: Solar pumping is not suitable where the requirement is very high. The maximum
capacity available with solar is very low. However, the output of the solar DC pump is more than
a normal pump.
(vi) Variable yield: The water yield of the solar pump changes according to the sunlight. It is
highest around noon and least in the early morning and evening.
(vii) Theft: Theft of solar panels can be a problem in some areas. So the farmers need to take
necessary precautions. Ideally, the solar system should insured against theft as well as natural
hazards like lightning.
 Comparison to Other Watering Systems

There are other options for pumping water in remote applications. These and their
advantages and disadvantages are listed in Table 1.

Table 1. Comparison of solar and other remote watering system

Pump Type Advantages
Solar • Low maintenance
• No fuel costs or spills
• Easy to install
• Simple and reliable
• Unattended operation
• System can be made to be
mobile
Diesel (or gas) • Moderate capital costs
power systems • Can be portable
• Extensive experience • Maintenance often inadequate,
available
• Easy to install
Disadvantages
• Potentially high initial cost
• Lower output in cloudy weather
• Must have good sun exposure
between 9 AM and 4 PM
• Needs maintenance and
replacement
reducing life
• Fuel often expensive and
supply intermittent
• Noise, dirt and fume problem
• Site visits necessary

COMPONENTS
 Solar panels
Solar panels generates electricity, some kind of energy i.e either electricity, water heating
(thermal) refers to a photo-voltaic (PV) module. A PV module is a packaged, connected
assembly (various combinations of series and parallel connections) of solar cells. Each module is
rated by its DC output power under standard test conditions (STC), and typically ranges from
100 to 320 watts. The efficiency of a module determines how efficient that particular solar cells
can extract energy from sun. There are a few solar panels available that are exceeding 19%
efficiency.
Controller/ solar inverter
A charge controller may be used to power DC equipment with solar panels. The charge
controller provides a regulated DC output and stores excess energy in a battery as well as
monitoring the battery voltage to prevent under/overcharging. More expensive units will also
perform maximum power point tracking. An inverter can be connected to the output of a charge
controller to drive AC loads.

Pump
A pump is a device that moves fluids (liquids or gases), or sometimes slurries, by mechanical
action. Pumps can be classified into three major groups according to the method they use to
move the fluid: direct lift, displacement, and gravity pumps. Pumps operate via many energy
sources, including manual operation, electricity, engines, or wind power, come in many sizes,
from microscopic for use in medical applications to large industrial pumps. Depending on those
reasons we select centrifugal pump.
Centrifugal Pump - Centrifugal pump uses high-speed rotation to suck in water through the middle of
the pump. These pumps have an impeller that spins the water to subject it to a centrifugal force. They
are efficient for flow in excess of 40l/minute and lifts generally less than 40-50m. The major
drawback with them is that at reduced speeds such as those that occur during low-sun conditions,
centrifugal pumps lose efficiency in a disproportionate manner.
Pipes
A hollow cylinder or tube used to conduct a liquid, gas, or finely divided solid.

PUMP PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS

Capacity, head, power, efficiency, required net positive suction head, and specific speed are
parameters that describe a pump’s performance.
Capacity
The capacity of a pump is the amount of water pumped per unit time. Capacity is also frequently
called discharge or flow rate (Q). In English units it is usually expressed in gallons per minute
(gpm). In metric units it is expressed as liters per minute (l/min) or cubic meters per second
(m3/sec).
Flow rate = Daily water need ( m /day ) / Pumping time(hours)
3

Head
Pump head is measured as pressure difference between the discharge and suction sides of the
pump.
Total Dynamic Head (TDH) for the Pump
To determine the pump’s TDH, use the following equation:
TDH = Vertical Lift + Pressure Head + Friction Losses
OR
TDH = Static Head + Friction Losses
where:
Static Head: Maximum height till which water is to be pumped
Friction losses: Losses that occur in (straight section, valves, bends etc.)
Power Requirements
The power imparted to the water by the pump is called water power.
WP = (Q x H)/3960
Efficiency
Pump efficiency is the percent of power input to the pump shaft (the brake power) that is
transferred to the water.
E% = (WP/BP) x 100
Net Positive Suction Head
The required net positive suction head (NPSHr) is the amount of energy required to prevent the
formation of vapor-filled cavities of fluid within the eye of impeller. The formation and
subsequent collapse of these vapor-filled cavities is called cavitations and is destructive to the
impeller.
Specific Speed
Specific speed is an index number correlating pump flow, head and speed at the optimum
efficiency point. It classifies pump impellers with respect to their geometric similarity. Two
impellers are geometrically similar when the ratios of corresponding dimensions are the same for
both impellers.
VI. WORK PLAN
Table. 2 Work Plan for final thesis project
MONTHS WEEK WORK STEP/PROCEDURE/
APRIL First week Proposal presentation
Second week Design calc. and data collection-pump
Third week Data collection and design cal. -pump
Last week Design cal. And data collection- solar
MAY First week ’’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’
Second week Frame part for solar design with calc.
Third week Auto-cad of components - drawing
Last week Prototype
JUNE First week Prototype
Second week Last presentation

REFERENCE
 Aligah M.A., Design of Photovoltaic Water Pumping System and Compare it with Diesel
Powered Pump. Jordan Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Vol. 5(3), pp.
273-280, 2011

 Aliyu A.G. and Sambo A.S., Study of photovoltaic solar water pumping system in
various climate conditions, Journal of Solar Energy, Vol.8 (1), pp. 345-354, 1989

 Arora P.R., World’s Highest Off-grid Solar PV Potential in India-Search and Penetrate.
International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Vol. 3(8), pp. 1-7, 2013.

 Design of Small Photovoltaic (PV) Solar-Powered Water Pump Systems, Natural

Resources Conservation Service., Technical Note No. 28, October 2010.
 Feasibility Assessment for the Replacement of Diesel Water Pumps with Solar Water
Pumps , September 2006.