Awareness Programme on Solar Water Pumping System

In recent years, the application of solar energy is consistently increasing as an renewable and green source of energy. It has become the need of the hour due to diminishing availability of fossil fuels and environmental problems. Its potential is high due to its availability in abundance and the Energy Unit Cost is decreasing due to advances in harnessing technology. Its use and support among farmers is also increasing. Irrigation is one of the important operations undertaken by the farmers, and the conventional irrigation pumps are driven either through electricity or diesel as the energy source.  Besides, higher cost, irregular supply of electricity and higher diesel price disturb the timely irrigation to the crops. Solar powered pumping systems are affordable alternative to replace conventional diesel or electric pump sets. The solar water pump is reliable and environmentally sustainable. Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) water pumping system is one of the ideal solutions for assured, timely and efficient irrigation to the crops. Solar PV system provides regular/continuous supply of DC electric power to run the solar PV water pumping system resulting in timely and efficient irrigation which leads to higher agricultural productivity. Solar PV water pumping system is pollution-free and requires little maintenance as compared to the diesel operated or electricity (AC) operated water pump sets.

Awareness programme on solar water pumping system provides information on solar energy, its benefits and applications. This programme provides a conceptual understanding of water pumps including solar PV water pumping system. The major components of solar PV water pumping system are also described in detail. A solar PV water pumping system requires very little operation and maintenance. However, the programmes give the basic elements of operation and maintenance (O&M) at farm level. The common precautions and safety measures to be taken during operation are also described.

Evaluation Methodology

The certificate will be given to the learners who obtained 40% and above marks in the end term examination. The  end term examination will be conducted through National Testing Agency (NTA).

Course layout

Books and references

• AURORE. 2016. Best practices in solar water pumping. Manual Published by Auroville Renewal Energy (AuroRE) CSR Office  Auroshipam, Auroville 650 101 (Tamil Nadu). Pp 1-46.

• Jagan Nath Shrestha, Ajay Kumar Jha and Rajendra Karki. 2014. Training Manual on Solar PV Pumping System. Published by GRID Nepal in joint venture with Center for Energy Studies Institute of Engineering, TU. Pp 1-170.

• Jeff Kenna and Bill Gillett. 1985. Solar Water Pumping-A Handbook. Intermediate Technology Publications, 103/105 Southampton Row, London WC14 HH. Pp 1-134.

• Model Scheme on Solar Photovoltaic Pumping System (for farmers without pumpsets). Manual published by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Head office, Mumbai.

• NSW Farmers, GSES, 2015, Solar-powered pumping in agriculture: A guide to system selection and design. NSW Farmers, 2015.

• Priyabrata Santra, P.C. Pande, A.K. Singh and Pradeep Kumar. 2016. Solar PV pumping system for irrigation purpose and its economic comparison with grid-connected electricity and diesel operated pumps. Indian Journal of Economics and Development, 4 (4). 1-7. ISSN (online): 2320-9836 and ISSN (Print): 2320-9828.

• SNV. 2015. Solar PV Standardised Training Manual. Developed by SNV for the Rural Solar Market Development. Pp 1-98.

• Sivanappan, R.K. and Padmakumari, O. 1980. Drip irrigation SVNP Report, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India. Pp. 15.