Water is a precious resource. However, far too many communities either have limited, or no access to water. The reasons for this are varied, but one primary reason is the seclusion of the communities. Because the communities do not have a body of fresh water near them or near a big city, it is often difficult to transport water to these areas.
One solution to this issue is solar powered water pumps. As the name implies, solar panel water pumps work best in sunny environments; oftentimes, this environment is where a majority of communities that need water are located.
What are Solar Powered Water Pumps?
First invented in 1979, solar powered water pumps provide an alternative to fuel-based machinery, hand pumps, and windmills. A solar panel pump consists of electrical cables, a DC water pump, a breaker and fuse box, a water storage tank, a solar panel array, and a solar charge controller. In general terms, the solar pump is an electric pump, but it operates off of the electrical energy received from the accompanying solar panel. The solar panel absorbs the energy and transfers this energy to the invertor. The invertor, in turn, directs this energy into an alternative current. The resulting alternating current is what allows the water pump to function.
What are the Benefits of Solar Powered Water Pumps?
The beauty of solar powered water pumps is that they can be placed where a power grid may not exist or may not be possible to be placed. As a result, they can be used in places that do not have a stable power supply, particularly benefiting impoverished communities. The benefits of a solar panel water pump is that it is easy to install, requires less maintenance compared to other water pump options, does not cost must to operate, does not require fuel to operate, can be used in remote areas, has a long service life, is environmentally friendly, is highly durable and performs well, and is easy to relocate.
From these myriads of benefits, it is easy to see why solar powered water pumps can benefit rural communities where electricity and water is scarce. Indeed, the World Bank has recognized the potential of utilizing solar powered water pumps to benefit the rural communities, reporting solar water pumping is βan extremely viable way to expand energy access across developing countries and communities, while creating a strong resistance to shifts in rainfall caused by climate change or unreliable seasonable patterns.β The World Bank has further estimated that solar water pumping will yield the high benefits in South America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa due to the high solar insolation in the region. In other words, solar powered water pumps are a viable option for impoverished communities in these countries to obtain a reliable source of freshwater.
Solar powered water pumps are a highly attractive option to provide water in communities which desperately need access to this precious resources. Due to its low installation cost, the little annual maintenance, and use of the sun for energy in lieu of fuel, solar powered water pumps are a viable option to be considered to resolve the global water crisis.