Solar Powered Drip Irrigation System: Detailed Cost

Smallholder farmers require consistent and sustainable energy for water supply in irrigated farms. Implementing solar powered drip irrigation system lowers the cost of water supply and production. Only requires a one-time investment and you can utilize it free of charge to water your crops.

In this article, you will get to understand how solar powered drip irrigation system works, sizing, implementation, and cost.

Cost of Solar Powered Irrigation System per Acre

The cost of a solar powered irrigation system in Kenya ranges between KES 180,000 to KES 350,000 per acre depending on requirements.

Cost breakdown for the system requirements are as follows:

• Small-Scale Kit 0.5 acre : KES 60,000 – KES 150,000.
• 1-Acre Farm (Direct Drive): KES 180,000 – KES 350,000.
• 2-5 Acre Farm (Submersible Pump): KES 400,000 – KES 1,000,000+.

Importance of Solar Powered Drip Irrigation System

Agriculture in Kenya heavily depends on irrigation due to unreliable rainfall in most parts of the country. Many smallholder farmers struggle with traditional irrigation systems which incurs high diesel or petrol costs. By switching to solar powered irrigation system, they can cut down the cost of fuel and produce high yields on low investment.

Integrating drip irrigation system with solar pumps significantly improves water use efficiency. Drip irrigation system deliver water directly to the plant roots reducing wastage and maximizing yield.

Understanding Solar Powered Drip Irrigation System

A solar power system provides energy to run an irrigation pump which directs water to the farm or to a storage tank first. If your main water source is from a borehole, your pump will be a submersible one powered by solar panels to draw water to a nearby raised tank. The water will flow to the farm through a drip irrigation system via gravity.

The efficiency of the system depends on the sunshine, panel capacity and water requirements.

Solar Powered Drip Irrigation System Complete

Solar panels for powering solar pumps

• Solar PV Modules – generates DC electric current. 300 -750-watt panel capacity ideal for 1 acre.
• Pump Controller – regulates voltage or current.
• Solar Water Pump – surface or submersible pump
• HDPE pipes – for drip mainline & sub mainline connection
• Driplines – water delivery in the farm
• Connectors & fittings – pipe connection and dripline connection.
• Pressure regulator – to control pressure of flow.
• Water filter – sediment removal
• Storage water tank – to store irrigation water.

solar power system inverter

Which Crops to Water Using Solar Powered Drip Irrigation System?

• Onions – bulb onions varieties require controlled moisture levels.
• Tomato – drip irrigation provides the right moisture and prevents fruit or leaf rot.
• Capsicum – to avoid risks of fungal infection
• Potatoes – Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes. For equal water needs and better tuber formation drip irrigation is ideal.
• Leafy greens – spinach, kales, cabbage, Swiss chards, arugula, collard greens and lettuce.

Types of Solar Water Pumps for Irrigation

Surface solar pump sourcing water from a pond

The choice of pump is determined by the Pumping Head and the water source.

• Submersible Solar Pumps: designed to work entirely underwater, ideal for deep boreholes, wells, or large dams. Highly efficient and can lift water from depths of over 100 meters. Consider head when looking for a right submersible pump.
• Surface Solar Pumps: placed on the surface near the water source. Draw water from shallow sources like rivers, canals, or water pans not exceeding 7 deep.

Matching Pump Flow Rate to Crop Water Needs

Sizing your pump involves matching its flow rate to the crop water requirements. When sizing considers the farm size, type of crop, and system losses including evaporation to calculate required flow rate. It would be a huge mistake to buy a pump which cannot supply sufficient water during growth cycles with high water requirements.

Sizing and Designing Your Solar Powered Irrigation System

To implement a solar irrigation setup, you need to plan carefully. Here’s how:

1. Estimate Water Demand
   • Calculate your crop’s water needs (liters/day) based on plant type, climate, and acreage.
   • Example: high-value vegetables may need more frequent watering than grains.
2. Calculate Pump Head & Flow
   • Head = vertical lift from water source to delivery point (or tank).
   • Choose a pump whose flow rate (L/hour) matches your demand and head.
3. Solar Panel Sizing
   • account for efficiency losses and align panel output with pump power needs.
   • Use a charge controller to regulate power and prevent damage.
4. Layout Design
   • Mount panels on a stable frame facing optimal sun angles.
   • Design piping: main lines, laterals, drip lines.
   • Include storage or a raised tank for gravity-fed irrigation or and backup for.

A well sized solar powered irrigation system ensures you don’t overspend or undersize your system. You will therefore be sure of an efficient irrigation system that delivers sufficient water when required.

Solar powered Drip Irrigation System Types: Direct Drive (Battery-free) vs. Battery Backup

When sizing the solar powered pump system, you generally choose between:

1. Direct Drive (Battery-free): The pump runs only when the sun shines, typically feeding water into an elevated storage tank (reservoir) which then uses gravity to supply the irrigation system 24/7. This is the simplest, most reliable, and cheapest option as it avoids the high cost and maintenance of batteries.
2. Battery Backup: The system includes batteries to store excess energy, allowing the pump to operate on cloudy days or even at night. While this offers maximum flexibility, it significantly increases the cost of solar powered drip irrigation system and requires battery maintenance. For most Kenyan smallholder farmers, the Direct Drive system with a correctly sized water tank provides the optimal balance of cost and performance

Advantages of Solar Powered Drip Irrigation System

• High crop yield: research shows that crops irrigated with solar powered drip irrigation system yield 200 % more than rainfed varieties.
• Low Labor needs: less coupled with manual equipment shifting as compared to furrow irrigation.
• Safe for environment use: solar powered pumps use clean energy to pump irrigation water. No carbon emission thus highly sustainable.
• Resilience or reliability: solar powered irrigation system are reliable works with access to sunlight and even low sunlight periods.

Installation of Solar Powered Drip Irrigation System

Implementing a solar powered irrigation system involves several steps below:

1. Site Survey & Water Assessment
   • Evaluate your water source: river, well, dam.
   • Measure depth, water volume, and assess reliability.
   • Determine elevation changes (pump head).
2. Installation Process
   • Mount solar panels in a sun-facing location.
   • Install the pump (surface or submersible) and connect it via cables.
   • Set up the controller / charge controller.
   • Lay out the drip or irrigation network, attach piping, filters, and valves.
   • Optionally, build a storage tank (raised or ground) if needed.
3. Maintenance Requirements
   • Clean filters regularly (drip systems can clog).
   • Inspect panels for dirt, shading, or damage.
   • Monitor system performance (flow rate, pump health).
4. Training & Local Support
   • Engage local technicians or service providers.
   • Train farm staff in basic upkeep and troubleshooting.

Challenges of Solar Powered Drip Irrigation System

High Capital Required: solar powered drip irrigation system cost is high. Financing options including loans, saccos and grants can help you acquire the accessories.

Low quality equipment which fails before returns. Source your solar irrigation systems from reputable suppliers. Aqua Hub LTD is among the trusted dealer in Kenya.

Risk of theft or vandalism: to prevent theft of solar panels, use mounting structures, build perimeter walls or electric fences. Security personnel to monitor the equipment is a better idea.

Success Story: Farmer Using Solar Powered Irrigation System

A client in Siaya needed a solar powered pump to pump water to the farm. He wanted a low-cost pump that can move water directly to the farm through drip irrigation. Having used a diesel pump before, he had learnt the advantage of having a solar pump to water crops at low cost.

Once he contacted us, our team sized a solar powered pump system that matched his farm water needs. We helped him install the system on his farm and 3 weeks later he reports that the pump works fine. With his ½ acre farm he wants to grow vegetables.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1: How much does a complete solar powered drip irrigation system cost?

A complete system for a 1-acre farm ranges from KES 180,000 to KES 350,000. The cost depends on the pump size, brand, irrigation system needs and motor power requirements.

2: Are solar pumps reliable during the rainy season in Kenya?

Yes. While efficiency drops on heavily overcast days, solar pumps still operate, albeit at a reduced flow rate.

3: How many solar panels are needed for a 5HP water pump?

For a 5HP (Horsepower) pump powered irrigation system which is typically used for large-scale commercial farming you would generally need a PV array of 4kW to 6kW. This translates to approximately 8 to 12 high-efficiency solar panels (550W each).

4: What is the main benefit of a solar powered drip irrigation system over a diesel pump?

The main benefit is the elimination of running costs. Once installed, the solar system costs virtually nothing to operate for decades, whereas a diesel pump requires constant, expensive, and volatile fuel purchases.

5: What is the difference between DC versus AC solar pump?

DC solar pumps run directly on power from solar panels while AC pumps require AC Power. With AC pump you need an inverter.

6: What size solar panel is needed for irrigation?

It depends on the pump’s power rating. For efficiency solar panel capacity should be 30 – 50 % more than the pump.

A reputable supplier should offer a minimum 5-year warranty on the pump and controller. The long-term performance warranty on the solar panels should be at least 20-25 years.

7: Can I use a solar pump to lift water from a deep borehole?

Yes. You will need a specialized submersible solar pump designed for high Pumping Head.

8: How much solar inverter do I need to run a 1HP water pump?

9: Do I need a battery with my solar powered drip irrigation system?

Yes. You need a backup battery to power the pump during low sunlight days.

10: Where can I find affordable solar water pumping systems Kenya?

Aqua Hub LTD offers affordable solar powered drip irrigation system accessories and installation services.