Advantages And Disadvantages of Solar Submersible Water Pumps

Many people around the world have limited access to water. Communities often rely on diesel-powered water pumps to extract underground water. Unfortunately, these pumps require costly, regular servicing and fueling, and leave a high carbon footprint.

Solar submersible water pump systems that rely on the sun’s energy are not only cleaner but also more cost-effective and sustainable financially, operationally, and environmentally. This way, they offer an excellent alternative.

In this article, we look at the main advantages that make a solar submersible water pump a viable choice, as well as the disadvantages that may restrict its use.

Let’s dive right into the advantages and disadvantages of solar submersible water pumps.

Key Advantages of a Solar-Powered Submersible Water Pump

Submersible solar water pumps boast several strengths that make them an intuitive choice for farmers and households that understand these benefits. Let’s take a look at some.

1. Low operational and maintenance costs

Solar-powered submersible water pumps generate electricity by converting sunlight into electrical current, powering their operations. Indeed, there are upfront costs, such as those of purchasing the solar panel and other components. But unlike diesel-powered water pumps that require constant fueling to run, solar-powered options rely solely on the sun, which is available to everyone free of charge.

This is a big plus, as it means substantial savings on fuel costs. Fuel costs can quickly accumulate, especially during prolonged use, such as in farm irrigation.

Notice that the cost of solar technology has dropped tremendously in recent years, with the prices of solar photovoltaic units used in these submersible solar water pumps reported to drop by 90% in the last decade. As a result, it costs little to scale these systems by adding more panels to your system.

Solar panels last at least 25 years, and generally require little maintenance throughout their long lifecycle.

Furthermore, the Kenyan government, alongside its development partners, has subsidized the cost of solar pumping, further reducing the overall cost of using the technology.

2. Eco-friendliness

As already mentioned, solar-powered well pumps use sunlight, a renewable energy source, to generate energy.

Using such renewable energy sources that nature will replace leads to minimal impact on the environment. Users can therefore pump their water, irrigate their farms, or use the water in many other ways without destroying the environment, contributing to environmental sustainability goals.

3. Off-grid water supply

Solar submersible water pumps require no external or additional power source since the sun provides the energy. This means that communities in remote areas with no access to the power grid can still generate the power needed to power their water pumps, thanks to solar technology.

4. Ease of maintenance

Solar submersible water pumps have few mechanical parts, reducing the chances of components needing repairs. These units can last for several years without needing maintenance, and maintaining them is often as easy as wiping down the solar panels to keep them dust-free.

5. Scalability and modularity

A solar submersible water pump system has a design that allows for easy expansion and adaptation to changing water demands, making it a flexible and future-proof investment.

You can easily add additional solar panels to boost power output or upgrade the pump capacity without replacing the entire system infrastructure.

6. Durability and lifespan

The overall solar submersible water pump system, when properly maintained, can last reliably for 15 to 20 years or more, offering a strong long-term investment.

7. Reliability as a water source

Power outages and fuel shortages are common challenges in rural areas, disrupting water pumping activities. Since submersible solar water pumps rely on the sun, which is reliably available in these rural areas, they are a dependable and consistent source of water for homes, farms, small businesses, and institutions such as schools.

Key Limitations and Disadvantages of Submersible Solar Water Pumps

Like anything with strengths, solar water pumps are not without limitations. Here is a look at the standout ones.

• High upfront costs

Submersible solar water pumps tend to be more expensive than other types of water pumps, including diesel ones. While the upfront cost can be a barrier to some prospective users, savings usually accumulate in the long run in the form of low operational costs.

• Dependence on sunlight

Since solar water pumps generate power from sunlight, there is significant dependence on the sun. This means operations may slow down in cloudy or rainy conditions characterized by little to no sun.

However, storing water in backup storage facilities or using backup batteries can ensure continuous operation even when the sun is unavailable.

• Requirement for correct sizing and installation

Mismatches in the sizes of various components, such as the solar and the submersible pump, can lead to failures in solar submersible water pump systems. The same issue can arise when the unit is too small or too powerful for the project, such as placing the submersible pump too deep inside a well.

Equally, the right installation is crucial to ensure the system works properly and to prolong its service life. Therefore, always consult an expert when installing a solar-powered well pump.

Original Reliable Solar Pumps in Nairobi, Kenya at Irrihub Ke, +254 112 148 880

If you are looking to buy a reliable solar pump in Kenya, Irrihub has nice offers you may
consider. We sell solar pumps as independent units or as complete solutions (kits). The complete
solutions include:
 Submersible brushless pump
 600W solar panels
 Delivery pipe 25MM
 70M head
 Flow rate of 2300 L/hr.
 Solar panels
 Pipes and cables
 MPPT controller
 Full installation

Final Thoughts

Even though the use of solar power to pump water for various applications is ready for mainstreaming and has started to take off in some parts of the world, the benefits of this technology remain largely unknown to some of Kenya’s communities, development institutions, and even government bodies.

We hope this article helps change that, even if only partly, by highlighting the pros and cons of solar submersible water pump systems that people need to know about.

Even more importantly, we hope you find this guide helpful as you seek to get the right water pump for your needs.