Cost Analysis of Pumping Water Using Solar Energy and Diesel in Drip Irrigation

Irrigation Energy Sources and Profit Efficiency of Vegetable Farming in the Keta Municipality, Volta Region

“…The energy source with the second least total cost was diesel. These findings are consistent with the findings of Alves et al, (2014) who estimated that the total cost of solar pumped irrigation is lower than diesel pumped energy. Similarly, Shouman et al (2016) showed that although diesel energy pumps have low capital cost, they have high operational and maintenance cost that increases their total cost over solar pumped energy systems.…”

“…Therefore, the level of profit or profit efficiency is functional on the type of irrigation scheme or the sources of energy for lifting irrigation water. Alves et al (2014) argued that although there are different sources of energy for driving irrigation pumps, the most common are diesel and electric methods. The authors, however, noted that diesel pump energy is mostly used in places where electricity is unavailable.…”

“…The authors, however, noted that diesel pump energy is mostly used in places where electricity is unavailable. According to Alves et al (2014), the economic analysis of water pumping mechanisms is essential since the capital requirement is high.…”

“…For instance, Hossain et al (2014) concluded from their study that not only are solar pumps economically profitable for vegetable production but also, they are environmentally friendly while diesel pumps are both economically unprofitable and environmentally unfriendly. Specifically, Alves et al (2014) argued that although solar-powered pumping of irrigation water has a high initial investment cost, it has a lower total cost and it is economically viable than diesel energy pumps. Shouman et al (2016) showed that although diesel energy pumps have low capital cost, they have high operational and maintenance cost that affects their economic viability, thereby concluded that photovoltaic like solar are better in terms of profitability.…”

Conversion of Solar Photovoltaic Energy Into Hydraulic Energy Applied to Irrigation Systems Using a Manual Sun Tracking

“…A summary of the result is shown in the Table 2, with the increment of solar irradiance, pumping time, volume of water pumped and the global efficiency of the system by using a manual solar three steps tracking systems. Despite of the high initial cost of the PV system installation when compared with diesel systems (ALVES et al, 2014), the reorientation of the panels allows a maximization of the solar irradiance. On the other hand, an increment o volume of water pumped might reduce the number of panels, therefore initial cost investments will be reduced to an acceptable value (CATON, 2014).…”