14 Tips for Better Use of Your Solar Pumping System

Solar water pumping systems have become increasingly popular due to the drop in the cost of solar panels in recent years. The solar water pump system is mainly composed of a solar water pump drive, solar panel, and solar water pump. The solar water pump obtains the energy required for operation from the photovoltaic modules. In a pond, just put the pump in the water and use a cable to connect it to the solar panel. Once the sunlight hits the panel, the pump starts to work.

Solar pump drives open up many new possibilities. Because installers also use them where there is no existing power connection. Also, there are no energy costs after purchasing a solar pump system.

Wash your solar panels with water at least every few years. Repair leaking and damaged valves and perform all use and maintenance operations in accordance with the system manual provided by the manufacturer. Read on for more tips to get the best out of your solar water pump system.

There are two types of solar water pump systems: surface water pumps and submersible water pumps. Surface pumps are ideal when you have water sources such as lakes, streams, or rivers nearby. A hose connects the pump to a water source, storage tank, water feature, or irrigator, depending on your needs.

However, most users prefer submersible solar pump drives. Submersion pumps require a well or deep groundwater source that is at least 1000 feet deep. When connected to a solar relay, the solar pump pumps water to a storage tank or pressure tank.

The flow depends on the pump use case (domestic, agricultural, commercial). The manufacturer's table can guide you on how many cubic meters of water you get per day, including household water, gardening, and livestock consumption.

The pump suction height is limited by atmospheric pressure in meters of water (i.e. 9.8 meters) and is practically limited to 6 or 7 meters. Therefore, the height of the underground pump is always lower than the height of the surface pump. To initiate suction, water upstream of these pumps must first be primed.

On the other hand, delivery solar pumps (or submersible pumps) are submerged in water and their motors are either integrated with the pump (integral pump) or on the surface. The pump is connected to the motor through a shaft that transmits power. The exhaust line usually follows the pump, and the length of the line can vary depending on the engine power.

In addition to the type, if you want to buy a solar water pump, the following criteria should be adhered to.

Wattage: The output of the pump is measured in watts. It should be in a reasonable proportion to the amount of water in the source area. This is why most manufacturers state the size of the solar water pump on the packaging. The size of the solar panels is also tailored for this.

Delivery rate: The required delivery rate also depends on the use case. The flow rate indicates how many liters the pump circulates per hour. If this property is to be beneficial to water quality, it should be in good proportion to the water volume.

Head: The head is a key indicator of the height of the fountain. However, the maximum height is always specified here. This means that a certain scale is reached when all conditions are good. If the sun shines less strongly, the water source of the solar pump can be correspondingly smaller. Those who rely on high performance here should use larger pumps or more solar areas.

The cable length indicates how far the solar module can extend from the pump. Long cables are an advantage here, as the modules can be positioned according to the amount of sunlight. The longer the cable, the less limited the options available for the solar module. For long-distance solar water pumping system projects, you may need AC output line reactors. It is generally recommended to use it when the distance from the water pump to the solar water pump inverter exceeds 50m, and when it is required to exceed 100m.

Most AC solar water pump manufacturers provide technical documentation on how many peak watts are required to reach their rated capacity. The watt-peak data for solar panels shows how much electricity they can generate under normal conditions.

To best determine the required dimensions for your PV installation, we recommend that you read the manufacturer's recommendation sheet. Finally, different solar water pump controllers have different requirements for VOC and VMP and need to be confirmed with your solar water pump inverter manufacturer and supplier.

Maintaining solar panels is not as complicated as one might think. Solar panels need to be washed with soap and water at least once a year. However, solar panels can last up to 25 years without additional maintenance as long as there is sufficient sunlight.

Watch the water come out when the faucet is turned on. If you are not getting any water from the pump, your pump may be set too high. Due to the high demand for water, the pump will drain the water level over time to a point where it is no longer submerged as it draws water from the source. On the other hand, drought during the dry season could be the cause of the low water level. Consider repositioning the pump on/in the water source.

Wear and tear occur with daily use. If there is a broken wire, the riser may have a check valve stuck open for service. However, pipe ruptures usually occur within a building or between a pump and a building. Wet lawns can be a sign of a leaking pump tube.

You can also measure water pressure by turning off the water in your house. If the pressure remains stable, then the check valve and lines are most likely ok. In the event of a drop in pressure, there may be a leak or a blocked check valve in the line leading to the house.

Also, sometimes the water pump starts and then shuts off after a few seconds. In this case, the pressure may build up too quickly. This means that there is not enough air in the pressure tank. At this point, call a professional.

To improve performance, the pump needs to elevate the water column, which may be deep below the surface, or just below the surface.

A lower pump position affects the flow performance of the rig, resulting in more energy usage. A pump is installed at the bottom of many wells. Note that with this positioning, there may not be enough power to manage the flow of water through the system to create water flow on days without sunlight, as there is not enough power to control its outlet.

The same problem occurs when the distance between the pump and the point of use is too long - more pumping power is required. Periodic clogging of the filter can also affect flow - clogging is caused by deposits that build up on the bottom of the well. The pump casing at the bottom of the well is undoubtedly the worst location. Place it below the surface of the water in the well.

You can track how much power the panel is producing while performing a pump-to-panel test. The battery can also be tested to make sure it is working properly in this test.

Completely remove the pump and panel from the battery unit

Bypass the battery by connecting the pump's wires directly to the panel as a power source.

Using this method, the pump receives power directly from the panel.

The pump will usually start working right away when exposed to sunlight, but you have to make sure the pump is close to the water for the test to be successful. If you experience consistency problems, these can often be resolved by relocating the pump closer to the surface.

If you use a float switch, your job becomes easier. The water level determines when the pump is turned on or off. The pump turns on when the tank is low and turns off when it is full. When the evacuation float is active, the pump will start running at full capacity and stop when the tank is empty.

Instead of connecting directly to the pump, some LCBs can be connected to the input of the float switch. However, be aware that some LCBs may behave differently when used with float switches, so check the LCB manual to determine expected results.

The flow of water in the pipes in the house depends on the water pressure of the pump. In a typical home, you may need as low as 20 PSI (pounds per square inch). There are several ways to achieve water pressure. As a basic method, use gravity by storing water in a tank above your home. You'll get 0.433 PSI of water pressure per foot of height. For example, if your house has a 100-foot water tank, the pressure on the water surface is 43.3 PSI (100 feet x 0.433).

If an overhead tank cannot be used, a small booster pump (mainly used in solar DC water pump systems) can be used to pressurize the pipeline, which can be used instead of overhead. The pump connected to the battery can be pressurized at any time of the day or night. The PSI capacity of the booster pump and the amperage required to apply pressure will be stated in the specification.

You should find the best location for your solar panels based on what you know about the system. Install the panel in an open area so that it is never shaded. Most residential panels are sloped by default. If you need more water for irrigation during the summer months, it's a good idea to install a solar tracking PV module. By following the sun, solar panels can generate maximum electricity. Solar panels with sun tracking can provide 20-40% more energy during the day than stationary panels.

You must take steps to prevent your solar water pump from breaking down after all your money has been invested. First, the pump must detect the water level in the tank in order to shut down. You can ask the manufacturer of the pump if this feature is already available. A properly grounded system is also important. Some manufacturers' warranties may even require arresters. If your bay is hit by a direct lightning strike, your pump will still be fully protected if your system is properly grounded.

When choosing a solar pump driver, consider:

AC output of the solar AC pump driver: This power must match the power of the photovoltaic installation. The inverter power rating (STC) is a good indicator of the minimum size required. Systems located at higher altitudes may require larger inverters; this will eliminate power clipping. Larger inverters will provide more output during cold, sunny and cloudy days. Future expansion can also be accommodated by appropriately sizing the inverter.

Voltage input range: The solar pump driver supports various voltages from the solar panel. The temperature coefficient and local climate data will determine the maximum and minimum voltages. A solar pump driver that exceeds its maximum voltage specification may burn out, and a solar pump driver operating at too low voltage may fail to operate.

The above describes 15 tips for better use of solar water pump system, if you want to buy a solar water pump, welcome to contact us.

TPON is a professional custom solar water pump manufacturer. In order to control product quality and reduce cost prices, we will bring customers the most cost-effective and competitive solar water pumps. The important parts of the solar water pump are all manufactured and processed by our factory. The workshop is equipped with automatic winding machines, finishing equipment, advanced assembly lines, and precision testing machines. Each solar well pump will be rigorously tested before leaving the factory to ensure product quality.