An economic evaluation comparison of solar water pumping system with engine pumping system for rice cultivation

Abstract

In this paper we propose the design and economic evaluation of the water pumping systems for rice cultivation using solar energy, gasoline fuel and compare both systems. The design of the water and gasoline engine pumping system were evaluated. The gasoline fuel cost used in rice cultivation in an area of 1.6 acres. Under same conditions of water pumping system is replaced by the photovoltaic system which is composed of a solar panel, a converter and an electric motor pump which is compose of a direct current (DC) motor or an alternating current (AC) motor with an inverter. In addition, the battery is installed to increase the efficiency and productivity of rice cultivation. In order to verify, the simulation and economic evaluation of the storage energy battery system with batteries and without batteries are carried out. Finally the cost of four solar pumping systems was evaluated and compared with that of the gasoline pump. The results showed that the solar pumping system can be used to replace the gasoline water pumping system and DC solar pump has a payback less than 10 years. The systems that can payback the fastest is the DC solar pumping system without batteries storage system. The system the can payback the slowest is AC solar pumping system with batteries storage system. However, VAC motor pump of 220 V can be more easily maintained than the motor pump of 24 VDC and batteries back up system can supply a more stable power to the pump system.

The Socio-Economic Impact of Using Photovoltaic (PV) Energy for High-Efficiency Irrigation Systems: A Case Study

“…According to the research of López-Luque, R. et al [30], less than 1.0 kW of power is needed to irrigate 1.0 hectare of agriculture land, and in scenarios where energy systems require less than 5.0 kW, DC motors are preferred and recommended over AC motors. Positive displacement pumps have been shown to be useful for higher heads, whereas diaphragm pumps are better for lower heads, both delivering above 70.0% efficiency [31][32][33]. In the arid zone of Punjab, Pakistan, research was conducted with the goal of installing and evaluating a solar-powered drip irrigation system.…”

A review of sustainable solar irrigation systems for Sub-Saharan Africa

“…O. Deveci et al [22] for instance designed a 132 Wh/day system in Turkey with just two PV panels 10 W each to power a battery which was enough to power a pumping system to irrigate 1 ha of land daily for 2 h for US$ 582, while an equivalent non-battery powered system would cost 2.75 times more. Similar research in Thailand by K. Treephak et al [45] however, disagrees sighting the cost of DC motor system without battery to be the most cost effective system for the irrigation of 1.6 acres of land having a payback period of 7 years (estimated cost US$ 2000/ha) as compared to 9.3 (estimated cost US$ 2200 ha) years for an equivalent system using battery. AC motor systems on the other hand were more expensive having a payback period of over 10 years with or without battery.…”

“…Treephak et al [45] conducted an economic evaluation to compare PV powered and gasoline powered water pumping systems for irrigation and cultivation of rice. A 1.6 acre of land irrigated for 25 years was considered for the analysis and the fuel cost required for the pumping of water for the cultivation of rice is considered.…”

Potential of microfinanced solar water pumping systems for irrigation in rural areas of Burkina Faso

“…Internal rate of return refers to the maximum interest above which the SWPS will not be profitable as illustrated by Treephak et al in a research to compare SWPS and DWP for irrigation [29]. According to the study, Formula (16) can be used to determine the internal interest rate.…”