Some Facts About Solar Powered Water Pumps

Solar powered water pumps are similar to traditional pumps in the exception that they generate electricity by themselves through high quality solar panels. Energy stored from the sun and converted into energy is transfered as a DC (direct current) power supply. As solar panels naturally produce DC electricity, solar water pumps must be compatible to DC power in order to run properly. Most open water source solar water pumps (such as submersible floating pumps) that are used in ponds, springs, and streams naturally used DC power as an energy source. However, most wells use a centrifugal water pump that uses AC power. In that case, DC power create by the solar panels must be transformed into AC power through an inverter adapter. Becuase this adds to the complexity and expense of the solar water pump, most of them use a DC electricity as a power supply.

On a different note, you'll be happy to know that solar powered water pumps also work when it's cloudy. Even though efficiency is diminished, they still will provide power for many hours. However, when purchasing a solar water pump, make sure that it has sufficient capacity to store energy from sunny days for at least three to five days worth of excess energy.

Choosing the Best Solar Powered Pump for You

Thinking of purchasing a solar powered water pump? Before you do, you have to consider what kind of water pump you want. There a few things to consider when shopping around for solar pumps. First, is your water source a open source or dug out? If so, you will want a floating solar water pump. This will usually be submersible floating pumps. These will be on the less expensive side because you dont' need as much power to draw water from underground. Is your water source a well or underground? If so, there are couple options you can take. Most wells will use a submersible centrifugal solar powered water pump to draw water out. Also referred to AC powered centrifugal pumps.

These are the preferred choice for well solar powered water pumps becuase they are quite, easy to start, and they require little maintenance. They are also good because they can move large volumes of water under relatively small pressure. This makes for a smooth and steady output of water. For shallower wells, you can use a positive displacement system. However, positive displacement pumps tend to be noisier and they expel water rapidly. Some can't tolerate running dry if you happen to run out of water. You may want to use the submersible centrifugal solar powered water pump for shallower wells as well.

Some More Benefits of Solar Powered Water Pumps

Besides the low maintenance costs, the long life spand, and the ability to efficiently and cleanly draw water for you, solar powered water pumps also are a great way to conserve energy. If you want to take part in energy conservation techniques, then a solar powered pump is a great way to save on energy costs and natural, nonrenewable resources. One of the best and most popular ways of conserving energy is refitting your home with solar panels to power everything from electrical appliances to the water pump.

Thought the initial costs may seem unattractive, the long-term benefits and costs saving will be well worth it to you. Once installed, solar technology requires little maintenance and upkeep, and can last for well over 30 years. Solar powered water pumps are no exception. The initial set-up costs may be a little more expensive (sometimes they are priced similarity or even cheaper), the long-term benefits of having a solar powered pump make it an attractive option. Most people spend $50-100 a month on utilities. Wouldn't it be nice to cut those costs down? Wouldn't it nice to be self-reliant and creat your own electricity and not have to rely on power companies just in case there is a prolonged power outage? Installing solar powered water pumps are only the first step of transforming your home into a power conserving beast.

Pumping Water Below the Ground With Solar Powered Pumps

On my previous post I talked about using solar powered pumps for drawing water from an open source, such as a spring, pond, and other surface water sources, by using a floating pump. However, most people will want to draw water from a below ground source from a well. Solar powered pumps are well up to the task, and they do the job nicely. You'll have a couple of choices when considering purchasing solar water pumps. It all depends on how much water you need to draw up and how deep your water source is. Solar powered water pumps can be big or small enough to draw water from a source that is as little as 60 feet, 250 feet, or as much as 600 feet! Yes, some the biggest or more expensive solar powered water pumps generate enough electricity to power even the most demanding pumps. Most of these solar pumping systems will cost you a fair amount of money. With everything included (Solar panels, mounting structure, pump, and the PV modules) a good solar powered water pump will cost you anywhere from $1000-9000, depending the volume of water needed to be pumped and how deep the water source is.

Water Floating Solar Powered Water Pumps

There are basically only a few kinds of solar powered water pumps. These include small, portable solar pumps that power your artificial pound, waterfall, fountain, and other water creations. Second, there are solar powered water pumps for water wells, or water beneath the surface underground. These solar pumps tend to be more expensive, because they have to be larger to generate enough power to draw water out of the ground, somtimes up to 200 feet or more. Thirdly, there are water floating solar water pumps. These usually are the cheapest because they don't need to generate as much power to draw water from an open, standing pool. If you are looking for floating solar powered water pumps, then the hook-up will be something of this sort.

You may have one, two, or even three separate solar panels which are interconnected. Those, in turn, are connected to a DC power cord to a power conditioning unit, further enhancing the energy for use with the water pump. The electricity is then transfered to the floating water pump, which draws water from a standing pool. Then by pipelines, that water is driven to a water storage tank, and can be distributed to your home, irrigation channels, or anything else you would like. Solar powered water pumps usually can be bought as a single piece, with all the necessary components included. You may have to do some customization depending on how you want to set your solar water pump up.

Solar Powered Water Pumps Have Advantages

If you are looking to purchase a solar powered water pump, then you are probably making the right decision. Solar power pumps have many advantages over traditional ones, especially wind-mill pumps. This post will focus on the advantages of a solar powered pump compared to a windmill water pump. First of all, though solar power panels and water pumps may be similarily priced to windmill pumps, the long-term investment will be worth it to you. Actually, solar power technology is getting better and cheaper all the time, so eventually many people will be switching over to solar water pumps and other accessories.

Solar powered water pumps require very little upkeep during the course of their life, which can be anywhere from 20-30 years or more is you buy a really high quality one. You don't have to spend money on electricity bills, and you don't have to fix broken down parts. This, in the long run, will drastically reduce your costs of maintaining your solar water pump. Also, windmill pumps require an erratic source of energy to run effectively- wind. So, if you don't have wind, how is your water pump going to work? Sun is a much more stable energy source. Plus, most solar panel pumps store energy so that your still have a working water pump even when it's cloudy or night. Solar powered water pumps are also much smaller than windmill ones and much easier to install, which will also reduce your costs and land consumption as well.

Solar Powered Water Pumps

Solar powered water pumps can be used for a variety of applications, including pumping water for your garden, fountains, ponds, and other man-made water creations. Solar powered pumps are very easy to install, and they offer long-lasting life with little maintenance. It is not uncommon to get a 20-25 year warranty on your solar powered water pump. Some more advanced pumps are night and day powered. The solar panels on the water pump collect and store energy during the day so you can enjoy power for many hours at night. This is perfect for running fountains and other water landscaping enhancements during your night parties and get-togethers. As solar technology has increased exponentially over the last ten years, the prices of solar powered water pumps has also decreased considerably.

You can get high quality solar panels on your water pump with outputs of 20w-40w for a very resonable prices, perhaps around $200. If you are looking for solar water pumps for drawing up water from your well or open water source, then solar powered pumps offer many advantages over tradition pumps, escpecially windmills. Generally, the long-term costs (and perhaps the short-term ones) are going to be a lot less, because little maintenance and costs is needed to run a solar powered water pump.