Technical and environmental aspects of solar photo-voltaic water pumping systems: a comprehensive survey

Abstract

Several sectors including agriculture and farming rely on renewable source-based water pumping due to recurrent hikes in fossil fuel prices and contaminant environment. In recent decades, a solar photovoltaic-based water pumping system (SPVWPS) has been a more popularly chosen technique for its feasibility and economic solution to the end-users. The initial cost, efficiency, orientation, auxiliary storage, head, and payback period are the technical issues, whereas transportation, lack of skilled people, theft, vandalism community, and politics are the social challenges that may prevent the solar pumps from being widely adopted. However, more subsidies, training, tax breaks, and remote monitoring can make this technology more accessible. Also, this article emphasizes various parameters affecting system performance, such as the suitable selection of panels, power conditioning units, motors, pumps, the payback period of the energy, and cost. Moreover, this article covers the technical and environmental facets of the SPVWPS, which helps researchers, policymakers, manufacturers, and end-users to design and choose a suitable pumping system. Major findings are stand-alone SPVWPS is highly recommended in areas with a maximum of 50 m dynamic head and a minimum of 2,000 m from local grid power. Moreover, along with the 25-year life span of the 25-kW SPVWPS could generate 150 MWh/year and reduce about 86,500 kg of CO2 emissions.