Solar Water Pumping

Types of Solar Pumps


The two main two types of solar pumps are: (1) centrifugal pumps and (2) pumps with screw type impellors. Centrifugal pumps are more suitable for high-flow, low-head application while screw type pumps are more suitable for low-flow, high-head applications.

The two main types of pump electric motors are AC-induction motors and brushless DC motor (BLDC). AC-induction motors require a solar pump inverter which varies the speed of the motor to match power with the available solar energy. BLDC on the other hand uses an electronic controller to switch DC currents to the motor windings, producing a torque to rotate the motor.

Input parameters for sizing of Solar Pumping Systems

When requesting a quotation for a solar pump, please provide the following information (with reference to the picture below):

HT = Total static head = H1 + H2 + H3 + H4  (m)
Sp =Total pipe length from pump outlet to outlet in tank  (m)
Di = Pipe inside diameter  (mm)
Q = Average daily water delivery  (L/day)

  • H1 = Depth below ground of water level
  • H2 = Height of tank stand base above borehole outlet
  • H3 = Height of tank stand
  • H4 = Height of water inlet above base of tank
  • H5 = Depth to water pump outlet
  • HT = Total static head = H1 + H2 + H3 + H4
  • Sp =Total pipe length from pump outlet to outlet in tank
  • Di = Pipe inside diameter

Sunray supplies the following brands:

Lorentz

DC pumps (both screw and centrifugal impellor types) with controllers

KSB

Centrifugal pumps with AC induction motors

FlowMax

DC pumps (both screw and centrifugal impellor types) with controllers

INVT

Solar inverters for AC induction motors, both single phase and three phase.