Solar powered pump sets are the attractive alternative to the millions of diesel operated pump sets being used for agriculture, in the areas where grid connectivity is either not established or its condition is uncertain and erratic.
There are multiple configurations of solar powered pumps (AC and DC) in the range of 1 HP to 5 HP required for agriculture purpose. Solar powered Brush Less DC (BLDC) motor-pump is considered more suitable, due to its higher efficiency over full operating range as compared to AC pumps.

 SALIENT FEATURES

• 5 HP/3.7 kW output power, most common for agriculture use.


• Solar powered (Green Energy).


• Very good alternative to AC pump set and Diesel pump set.


• NdFeB Magnet based BLDC motor has been used in place of the Induction Motor.


• Operational over wide voltage range unique to solar panels, hence wide speed range.


• Cost effective due to higher motor efficiency (≈ 92%) over wide operating range.


• MPPT controller for maximum power transfer from solar panel.


• Protection for over voltage, under voltage, overload, short circuit, over temperature, pump dry run etc.


• More water output (≈ 20%) compared to AC pump, for same capacity of solar panel.


• Bulk production cost is comparable to AC pump. Extra magnet cost is compensated due to reduction in solar panel capacity and physical dimensions due to efficient and compact BLDC motor.


• Indigenous technology, in line with Make-in-India initiative of Government of India.

APPLICATIONS

• Water pumping for Irrigation in rural areas.


• Water fountain in municipal areas.


• Gardening in rural and urban areas.


• Community water pumping to overhead tanks in residential colonies.

India has more than 18 million grid connected pumps and 8 million diesel operated pump sets used for agriculture. Pumps of 5 HP rating are widely used in agriculture. In spite of higher running costs, diesel pump-sets are used wherever grid connectivity is not established or its condition is uncertain and erratic.
Solar powered pump set is an attractive alternative to the above in the Indian context. There are multiple configurations of solar powered pumps (AC and DC) in the range of 1 HP to 5 HP available in the market. Brushless DC (BLDC) motor pumps are not manufactured in India and are mostly imported. Solar powered AC pumps are locally manufactured; however, they suffer from poor efficiency and require higher capacity solar panel. Solar powered DC technology (BLDC motor-pump) is considered more suitable due to its higher efficiency over wide operating range as compared to AC pumps. BLDC motor-pump having better efficiency results in higher water output for the given capacity of solar panels as compared to AC pump.

SALIENT FEATURES

• 5 HP/3.7 kW output power, most common for agriculture use.
• Solar powered (Green Energy).
• NdFeB Magnet based BLDC motor has been used in place of the Induction Motor.
• Operational over wide voltage range unique to solar panels, hence wide speed range.
• Cost effective due to higher motor efficiency (≈ 92%) over wide operating range.
• MPPT controller to regulate pump load for maximum power transfer from solar panel.
• Protection for dry run, over voltage, overload, short circuit, over temperature etc.
• More water output (≈ 20%) compared to AC pump, for the same capacity of solar panel.
• Bulk production cost is comparable to AC pump.
• Indigenous technology, in line with Make-in-India initiative of Government of India.

SPECIFICATIONS

APPLICATIONS

• Water pumping for Irrigation in rural areas
• Water fountain in municipal areas
• Gardening in rural and urban areas
• Community water pumping to overhead tanks in residential colonies

RAW MATERIALS

• The raw materials are easily available in local market, except permanent magnets which is imported.

INFRASTRUCTURE

• Since multidisciplinary activities are involved, the commercial production requires either in-house manufacturing facility for various parts or these parts can be sourced from various vendors and assembled at one place. The existing production line, which is used for the manufacturing of Induction motor based pumps is ideal for this. Only handling the magnets requires additional facilities and training.
  

MANPOWER

The manpower required will depend on the production path chosen. Nevertheless in both cases one Diploma engineer, one electrician, one fitter and one helper is required for the production and regular maintenance.