Borehole Solarization and Pump testing in Magadi

Draw water easily from your borehole or wells by implementing free solar power enabled through borehole solarization. Get water pumping solutions and sustainable irrigation systems from Aqua Hub LTD for affordable prices. We specialize in sales and installation of surface and borehole submersible solar pumps. If you need borehole solarization and complete equipping, our team is always available.

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Understanding Borehole Solarization

Borehole Solarization is process of applying solar systems to generate power that enhances efficient water supply from the borehole. Instead of manual or traditional water supply methods, a solar pump is necessary as it uses a motor designed to work on solar energy.

Why Borehole Solarization is Becoming Essential

The cost of supplying water for home or agricultural use especially in rural areas without grid power is high. People must buy diesel or petrol to power portable fuel water pumps to supply water.  Solar pumping systems have instead lowered the cost of water access by replacing fuel pumps.

• Borehole Solarization offers a solution to the following challenges:
• High electricity or fuel costs for pumping water.
• Unreliable or lack of power (blackouts, no grid).
•  Environmental concerns: diesel generators emit carbon.
• Water scarcity: when pumping fails, people suffer.

 What is required for Borehole Solarization?

1. Solar PV Modules – panels are for harnessing solar power that powers the borehole pump.
2. Borehole solar pump – the actual device that powers on the solar pump.
3. Controller – regulates power supply and enhances optimal pump performance.
4. Pipes – for supplying water from the borehole to the tank or point of use.
5. Filter – you may need a filter to remove sand content in the water.
6. Submersible Cable – electric power supply to the pump.
7. Galvanized steel mounting structure – 3 m tall structure designed to hold and support solar panels for maximum sunlight collection.

How to Size Pumps for Borehole Solarization

• Flow rate: match the required flow rate to be within the range of the pump’s discharge rate. Your water needs as per the application should guide you.
• Head: the reliable solar pump is also decided by factoring in the total vertical height of the borehole plus the height of storage tank. Dynamic head also considers friction losses.
• Pump Motor Capacity: the power rating of the pump should be noted and used to calculate the required number of solar panels to use.
• Type of borehole pump: the pump whether AC or DC pump determines how it will be connected and the power capacity needed.

Borehole Delivery Pipes

Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (uPVC) pipes are the most popular choice for borehole water supply. Often reliable because of their non-corrosive and durable performance.

HDPE pipes are also reliable but best for deeper boreholes exceeding 100 meters.

Things to Consider for Efficient Borehole Water Supply

• Solar panels should be installed in a place that receives maximum sunlight. Don’t install them near tall trees or buildings.
• Pipes used should be of appropriate diameter to prevent pressure loss. This ensures efficient flow of water at a constant flow rate.
• Use non-return valve to maintain flow rate and pressure.

Borehole Solarization Works

Solar Panel will generate electricity by harnessing and converting sun rays to electric current. You may use an inverter if your pump uses AC current. In case you are using a direct current (DC) pump you don’t need an inverter.

Benefits of Borehole Solar Pumping System

1.        Enhances Sustainable Water Access – Solar energy is affordable and thus implementing borehole solarization saves on cost. No cost of fuel or electricity for water supply.

2.        Clean Energy – solar power is clean and implementing solarization reduces carbon footprint.

3.        Solar power is reliable – the sun is available at most times, making solar pump systems ideal for use in all places especially remote areas with no grid power.

4.        Low maintenance costs – because of no fuel reliance, solar borehole systems rarely get damaged thus need for maintenance is lower.

Considerations for Borehole Solarization

Water Volume Requirements

Always learn how much water you need as per your water needing applications. The water needed for home use or farm irrigation determines the flow rate and in turn affects borehole pump and solarization kit choice.

Borehole depth

Shallow wells would require smaller pumps compared to deep wells which would need big powerful pumps.

Cost of Solarization

The overall cost of borehole solarization is a often high unlike electric pumping solutions. Learning the cost breakdown helps you know the amount to budget for.

Set up and Installation

Borehole servicing, and solarization is a complex task and requires qualified pump engineers and technicians to handle sizing, connection, installation and testing. Always contract companies with expertise and rated industry expertise.

Solutions to Challenges in Borehole Pump Solarization

Higher Upfront Cost

Cost of acquiring complete borehole solar pumping system may not be affordable for low-income households. To combat this, people can organize fundraisers and spend the money on community borehole drilling and solarization. This idea supports the entire community to access water with their collective effort.

Technical design

Some technicians end up mis sizing the system components such as panel capacity or pump size. Proper assessment of the borehole and water needs is important to prevent water deficit or insufficient flow rates.

Low sunlight conditions

Lower periods of sunlight affect the efficiency of borehole pumps. Consider using bigger water storage tanks or hybrid power batteries to power the pump in case or low sunlight seasons.

Security or theft

Sometimes solar panels and sunverters are at risk of theft, especially when installed in farms with no nearby residential buildings. Secure the solar panels by fencing the structure or enhancing security.

Regulation & water permits

You need proper permits to drill boreholes; provide water testing report and ensure sustainable extraction to provide overdrawing.

Steps for Borehole Solarization in Kenya

1.      Site assessment: determine the depth of the borehole, water needs, flow rates and pressure required.
2.  Pump sizing: considering the water needs of your applications, we size the pump that will work best for you.
3. Solar panel sizing: panels are sized as per the power requirements of the pump.
4. Pump Controller or inverter – according to the pump type, you may need an inverter. AC pumps work with an inverter while DC pumps operate directly on sun power.
5. Tank or Water Storage Setup – water tank should be placed in a support structure designed using steel metal.
6. Borehole Pipe selection – use high quality borehole pumps with corrosion resistance.
7. Installation of borehole pumping kits – after acquiring solar pumps and complete kits, installation is done by qualified professionals.