Design of Solar water pumping System and its comparison with diesel & grid connected pumping System in Gujrat (Pakistan)

Abstract: There is significant potential for solar water pumping in countries like Pakistan which receive abundant amounts of solar radiation. Apart from the fact that Pakistan has an extensive irrigation canal system, the country is suffering from water shortages for irrigation. To overcome the water shortage, approximately 1.1 million tube wells have been installed out of which 75% are diesel based and 25% work with grid electricity. In the present scenario, when the electricity is insufficient for domestic use and fuel prices are increasing exponentially, the use of solar water pumps can prove to be a viable solution for irrigation. The present work aims to design a solar water pumping system for irrigation in the province of Punjab which is also known as the bread basket of the country.We used PVSYST 4.36 software for designing the solar water pumping system at the proposed site. Its comparison was also done with the existing diesel based and grid connected water pumping systems. The life cycle cost method was implemented which shows that the cost of the proposed photovoltaic pumping system is less expensive than the existing conventional diesel and grid connected pumping systems.