image
logo
COMPENDIUM, IEEC-2023   ( ISBN : 978-81-967860-4-5 )
Print
Theme 2: Recent Trends in Agriculture and Resource Management

Efficacy of Solar Photovoltaic Water Pumping System for Irrigation in North East India

Mahendra S. Seveda

College of Agricultural Engineering and Post Harvest Technology, CAU, Ranipool, Gangtok, Sikkim-737135, India
sevda_mahendra@rediffmail.com

Abstract

In rural regions of India, the combination of insufficient electrical supply and soaring expenses associated with fossil fuels has exacerbated the overall quality of life, water provision, and agricultural practices. Utilizing solar energy-operated pumps as an alternative to electric and fossil fuel-driven irrigation pumps can serve as a viable solution for delivering water to farms. India has around 30 million irrigation pumps, of which 70% are grid electricity operated and 30% are diesel engine operated and rest are electric operated. The photovoltaic (PV) technology adopted water pumping system; that uses solar energy to convert to electrical energy which can run on a DC/ AC motor. The purpose of this study is to present different types of solar water pumping system, technology, environment aspects, efficient design, economic, and application in the rural and remote areas of NEH region of India. The system was tested for its performance in terms of variation is in discharge due to change in solar testing. It was observed during normal climatic conditions the PV array produced power in the range of 75 watts to 105 watts from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm in the month of December 2022. It was observed that the PV array produced maximum power of 105 watts (12:00 pm) while, Vmp and Imp of 5 volts and 21 amps respective. It was observed in the morning conditions that pump delivered discharge of 0.381 m3/h (7:00 am-8:00 am) of the head of 6 m. It was observed that, in noon conditions pump delivered discharge of 0.562 m3/h (12:00 pm) at the head of 6 m and the pumping efficiency was measured of 66.06 %. It was observed that, power output from the solar array increases as solar intensity increases. So increase in the power output was in the range from 75 to 105 watts.

IEEC-2023 at RARI (SKNAU, Jobner), Jaipur, Rajasthan organised by Society of Extension Education, Agra, India