Solar pumps fall into two major categories - submersible well pumps and surface delivery & pressure (booster) pumps. The major components of a solar pump system are the pump, controller and solar panels. Accessories include solar mounting frames, cables, level indicator etc. Some systems include batteries if pumping is to be done day and night or when a storage tank is not installed.

Submersible solar pumps are generally used for pumping from wells, and are designed to fit inside the well casing in a drilled hole. The well may be anywhere from a few metres to 250m deep - but the deeper the well, the more expensive the system. Solar powered pumps are very energy efficient using less power compared to similar conventional pumps.

Applications

·          deep well pumping

·          drinking water supply – domestic and community

·         livestock watering

·         irrigation (pressurised and non-pressurised)

·         pond management

·         fountains

·         mining