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PRO MO T IO N A L A RT ICL E • •
A GREEN producer
with a solar pump
O
standard sizes range from 1kW to 10kW, but special
ne of the more practical applications for solar
designs for larger applications can also be imple
power is the pumping of water at remote
mented. Even three phase pumps can be powered by
locations. The systems are reliable and offer a good
solar power Alternating current pumps can handle
solution that requires little maintenance. In addition,
boreholes up to a depth of 180m and a capacity of
it saves money in the form of energy savings or the
500 000 liters / day. As with normal solar systems, the
cost of supplying power at remote locations.
pumps are connected by an inverter to the solar mod
The pumps deliver excellent performance even
ules. But in this case it is a special inverter with the
in low light conditions like cloudy weather, so solar
ability to adjust the speed of the pump to the avail
pumps are extremely reliable in their duty.
In the solar pump environment there are two main able output of the solar modules. This protects the
pump from power fluctuations due adverse weather
groups namely direct cur
conditions.
rent and alternating current
PV MODULES
Typical uses for alternat
pumps.
ing current pumps are:
Direct current pumps
• Larger waterpoints
can be connected directly
• Irrigations schemes like
to the solar panels and can
drip irrigation
handle quick changes in the
PUMP INVERTER
• Houses
output of the solar mod
• Offices
ules with ease. The type of
pumps are mainly used for
Thus, the implementation
shallow boreholes and bore
WATER STORAGE TANK
DC
DISCONNECT
of solar pumps can make a
holes with low consumption
real contribution to improv
figures, typically the pumps
FLOAT
SWITCH
ing farmers' profit figures
are smaller than 1kW.
by the end of the year, with
Typical uses for DC
the fringe benefit of being
pumps are:
good for the environment
• Livestock waterpoints
in which we live. The imple
• Game waterpoints
mentation of a solar pump
RV SYSTEM
• Small households
WATERPUMP
GROUND
system can distinguish you
as a "green" farmer and also
For larger applications,
provide more "green" in
alternating current pumps
BOREHOLE
your bank.
are recommended, their
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Our expertise are the building blocks of the future
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Procurement
Management
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Energy Management
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Building Services
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Power Transmission & Distribution
Electrification and Lighting
[email protected]
www.motla.co.za
018 474 9000