Solar Irrigation Consultation

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Solar Irrigation
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, is harnessed using a range of ever-
evolving technologies such as solar heating, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal
electricity, solar architecture and artificial photosynthesis.

Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active

solar depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute solar energy. Active
solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors to
harness the energy.

Solar Irrigation, a new emerging application in Solar Energy as well as Solar PV

Industry, is now being implemented by many companies from India. Indian government
and NGOs come forward to support this technology by financially and morally.

What is solar irrigation? Well, it’s not so complex. Simply, the water pump -which is
used by farmers to water their corps land and help them significantly in irrigation work,
will be powered by Solar PV array with or without Inverters (and Battery bank if
needed).

In detail, A solar-powered pump is a pump running on electricity generated

by photovoltaic panels or the thermal energy available from collected sunlight as
opposed to grid electricity or diesel run water pumps. The operation of solar powered
pumps is more economical mainly due to the lower operation and maintenance costs
and has less environmental impact than pumps powered by an internal combustion
engine (ICE). Solar pumps are useful where grid electricity is unavailable and
alternative sources (in particular wind) do not provide sufficient energy.

Now, what is profit from this project? Who will get benefited? These 2 questions are co-
related in this case. The developer/installer organization will get benefited by the
outcome of the project,, where as the farmers, who will use the water, will get this as a
cheaper rate comparing to diesel-run or grid-powered water pumping solutions. And the
ultimate benefit is to the Environment as this is a ZERO carbon emission project.

How the Installer Company make profit? Ok, let me discuss in detail for this.

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Business model of Solar Irrigation Project
Investment (for 2hp water-pump System)

Solar PV array 1,25,000 INR

Solar Inverter 15,000 INR
RMS & Pump Controller 15,000 INR
Project erection 20,000 INR
Water Pump 40,000 INR
Installation & Transportation 5,000 INR
Total 2,20,000 INR

Now, let’s assume that your company managed to supply water to 10 acres of land
which concludes 30 farmers.

So, at a rate of 150rs/month basis, 30 farmers will pay you 4,500rs per month and
54,000rs/year.

At a fixed rate of 150rs/month for next 3 years, and increment of 15%, which is
172rs/month (round off) on the current rate after 3 years, the payback period will be 4
years.

So, after 4 years, the total invested money will come back to investor and from then, for
long 20 more years the money will be generated continuously from this project. The
Solar PV modules come with 25years manufacturer warranty and 10 years warranty
with extendable features.

Now, let’s discuss on the process flow of this highly-profitable

business model.

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Process Flow model of Solar Irrigation
Step1: Determine the requirements from the farmers and confirm the farmers who
agreed to use water from this project.

Step2: Calculate and design the system details according to the requirements from
farmers.

Step3: Estimate the total project cost. Consult with the management for the viability of
the project.

Step4: After final confirmation from Farmers and Management of the company, execute
and commission the project.

Step5: for the 1st week, monitor the system performance and output in terms of water
requirements.

Step6: Put a local person as In-Charge of the project who will collect the fees for the
water supplied to them at an interval of month or corps-cycle.

For the investment & outcome/profit from the this project, I’ve prepared a excel
worksheet by which a person can estimate the financial aspect & viability of Solar
Irrigation project. To get this excel worksheet please mail me at any of the following e-
mail ids-

1) [email protected]
2) [email protected]

Now, please read further to know how the project can be done technically and which
components need to use or select for this type of project.

OR, in other words, the next part is the Technical part of the Techno-Commercial
Report.

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Client’s Name BRAKSS

Occupation/Organisation NGO (Non-Govt. Organisation)

Country India

Address Itaberia, Nadia

Area PIN Code 741151

E-mail id [email protected]

Contact No. NA

Company NA

Purpose
To help the local farmers in cultivation of corps by supplying waters to 9 acres of agricultural
lands through out the year.

Client’s Requirements
System Type Solar Irrigation/Water pumping
Area available for Solar PV installation 34*2 sq meters on roof (asbestos)
Grid Availability YES
Desired System Voltage 380-550 V AC (3 Phase)
Battery Bank requirements NO

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Load Profile

Feeders (Outlets of Pump) Parameter Details

Feeder 1 30,000 Liters/day

Feeder 2 25,0000 Liters/day

Feeder 3 35,0000 liters/day

Feeder 4 50,0000 Liters/day

Solar PV System Sizing

Modular Components

Components Specification Quantity Make

Solar PV modules 150Wp (72 cells), 16 WAAREE

Vmp= 35V
Imp= 4.5Amps
Non-Modular Components

Components Specification Quantity Make

Inverter I/p=2.2KW to 3.3KW, 1 KBL

O/p=380-500V AC , upto 3Hp
RMS - 1 AcuSolar

Water Pump I/P= 380-500V 3ph supply 1 KBL

O/P= 2Hp
DC Disconnect 700VDC, 16A 1 Anchor

Wires 2.5 sq.mm Dual Core (Array- 30 meters Havels

Inverter-Pump)
Junction Boxes 1) 4x4 box with single string 2 Local Made
I/O for array-Inverter.
2) 4x4 box for Inverter-pump

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Solar PV Module Specification & Array Sizing Details

Required Electrical Characteristics of Solar PV Modules:
Watt Peak 150Wp
No. of Cells 72
VOC 43V
VMPP 35V
ISC 4.65A
IMPP 4.29A
Module Efficiency 15%
Power Tolerance ±5%
Technology Si-Poly

Required Operating Condition Details:

Maximum System Voltage/Range 1000V
Maximum Fuse Rating 20
Limiting Reverse Current 20
Operating Temp Range (-10 to 85)0C
Max Static Load-front(Snow+Wind) 5500PA
Max Static Load-Rear(wind) 2500PA

Required Temperature Co-efficient Characteristics

NOCT(oC) 47 ± 2 oC
Module Efficiency (%/oC) -0.07 ± 0.01
Temperature Co-Eff. Of Pmax (%/oC) -0.47 ± 0.05
Temperature Co-Eff. Of Voc (V/oC) -0.35 ± 0.05
Temperature Co-Eff. Of Isc (mA/oC) 4.4 ± 0.015

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Solar PV Array Sizing & Connection Details
Solar PV Array Size 2.4KWp
Watt Peak of each SPV module 150Wp
Total nos. of SPV module required 16
Total nos. of MPP strings 1
Nos. of SPV modules in each string 16
SPV connection in each string Series connection
String voltage (VOC / VMPP) 688V / 560V
String current (ISC / IMPP) 4.65A / 4.29A
Connection of strings NA
Array voltage (VOC / VMPP) 688V / 560V
Array current (ISC / IMPP) 4.65A / 4.29A
Array nominal power 2.2KW

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SPV String & Array Design

1) Total 16 nos. of 150Wp modules (72 cells) connected in series so

the array voltage will be much higher to supply the initial start
voltage of the Inverter.
2) The wires of the modules are 2.5sq mm dual core wires with MC-4
connectors.

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Solar Inverter Specification & Design Details

Inverter Type Hybrid/MPPT
INPUT (DC)
Max. Power 3 KW
Max Input Voltage 700VDC
Rated Input Voltage/MPP Voltage 415/380-550
Range
Initial Input Voltage/Min. Input 380V
voltage
Max Input Current 5Amps
Max Input Current per string 5Amps
Nos. of Independent MPP 1/1
inputs/strings per MPP inputs

OUTPUT (AC)
Rated Output Power 2.5KW/3KVA
Nominal AC Voltage/range 415V/380V-550V
AC Power Frequency/ range 50Hz/50± 5%
Max. output current 4.5A
Power factor at rated power 0.85
Feed-In phases/connection phases
Efficiency
Max. Efficiency 94%
Protection Details
DC Disconnect YES/Available
DC Surge Arrester YES/Available
DC reverse-polarity protection
device

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Other Features to look at:

Total harmonic distortion <3%
Operating Temperature range
Noise Emission <65dB
Self Consumption 7W
Cooling option Forced Air Cooling
Maximum permissible value for
relative humidity
Remote Monitoring System Available (With Pump Controller)
User Interference & RJ-45
Communication
Three-phase configuration &
monitoring
Electrically Isolated relay output
Status LCD Available
Inverter to inverter NA
communication
Anti-islanding protection NA

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Water Pump Specification
Make & Model Kirlosker (KBL)- KDS-212
Type of the motor Induction Motor (3ph)
Rated I/P Power 1.5KW
Motor Horsepower 2hp
Pipe Size (in mm) Suction Delivery
80 80
Total Head (in meters) 6 8 10 12
Total Discharge (in LPS) 14.1 12.4 10.5 7.5
Rated Voltage 415 VAC
Rated Current 3.5 Amps
No. of Phases 3
Efficiency 55%
Pump Motor Connection & Wiring Diagram:

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Single Line Diagram of the Electrical System

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Project Execution-Process Flow
Step1: Do a perfect survey for mounting of Solar PV modules, Inverter & water pump.

Step2: Design an accurate structure for mounting of PV modules.

Step3: Select the Modular & Non-Modular components wisely and check rating of these items
whether they meet your requirements. (Advise to consult an experienced Solar PV professional)

Step4: First, setup the structure where you planned to. Please keep in mind the stability of the
mounted structure as in some cases I’ve seen that the installer never looks for the
stability/longevity of the mounted PV Structure.

Step5: After the mounting work done, connect all the modules in the series (OR, the way you
decided) and check the VOC of the SPV Array using a good Multi-meter and be careful as the
Open Circuited Voltage will be around 550V-650V DC.

Step6: Now, disconnect the Modules in array using DC Disconnect or manually unplug the
modules in the structure.

Step7: Install the Water Pump with the help of a Plumber as he knows the exact procedure to
do this with minimum time & pre-cautions.

Step8: Now, it’s time for the Inverter to install. Remember; DO NOT connect the SPV array to
Inverter at first. Mount the inverter in ground of a concrete base OR if the inverter is wall
mounted, the use some pre-caution while mounting it on the wall.

Step9: Place Junction box between SPV Array and Inverter. Connect the Inverter DC I/P wire
first keeping the MCB of inverter in OFF condition. Then connect the SPV array wires to JB.

Step10: Make the 3 phase connection between Inverter and water pump via a Junction Box
followed by a Blown-Off fuse.

Step11: Now, connect the modules of PV array which were unplugged earlier.

Step12: Put the MCB of Inverter in ON condition.

Step13: Set the RMS or Remote Monitoring System and re-programme it if required. Check the
RMS whether it’s accordingly or NOT.

Step14: Put the MCB between the Inverter-water pump in ON condition.

Step15: Congrats!! You have successfully executed a Solar Irrigation project.

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Pre-cautions

1) Please select proper & experienced team members/ Installers for this project.
2) Use hand-gloves and helmets and proper shoes while working on the site.
3) Tools must be adequate and in good conditions.
4) Please perform trial run before commissioning the project for at least 3 days .
5) DO NOT forget to provide earthing/grounding solutions to PV Array, Inverter & for
the load.

For Test-Run
For test-run using direct 3-phase supply to inverter to run the water pump:

1) Confirm that you have a 3-phase supply with 50Hz supply at the site.
2) Now make sure whether the 3-phase connection is possible to inverter or not.
3) If you are using another inverter then make sure inverter has 3-phase input or not.
4) Now, connect the 3-phase supply properly to inverter.
5) Put MCB in OFF to ON condition.
6) Set the motor frequency at desired to value to control the output from pump.
7) In test-run condition, disconnect the RMS from the Inverter.
8) Check the status of inverter in certain interval.

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Photo Report of the Project

PV Mounting Structures being setup on Asbestos in Final work of mounting of SPV modules onto the
the rooftop structures is carrying out.

Inverter is being integrated with the RMS and MPPT Module

and the final connection check before trial-run.

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Inverter is setup and connected to SPV array

Rating plate of the water pump has shown here.
and water Pump & ready to run

The pump is in working status and delivering water to the corps lands

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