RANCHING Business
Tips for Proper Solar Pump Picks Provided by Gicon Pumps & Equipment / American West Windmill & Solar
S
OLAR POWERED PUMPING SYSTEMS have come a long way over the past decade. Old direct
current (DC) brushed motors and diaphragm pumps gave solar water pumping a bad reputation because of short life expectancy, but with the introduction of direct current brushless permanent magnet mo- tors and helical rotor pump ends, the longevity, reliability and future has never been so bright. Combine this with the seem-
ingly ever-decreasing price of pho- tovoltaic modules, and you have an extremely cost effective solution for pumping ground water out of wells or transferring surface water in re- mote areas that do not have electric grid power close by or available. Here are some of the key factors
to keep in mind when preparing to purchase a solar powered pump- ing system.
62 The Cattleman June 2013
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Gallons Per Day Performance — Make sure you are given a de- tailed quote that shows how many gallons per day will be produced by the solar powered pumping system. The reputable manufactur-
ers have software available to their dealers that allows them to print this with a click of a button and guarantee their product’s performance. Many water well contractors want to speak in terms of gallons per
minute, but do your cows drink 10 gallons per minute or 20 gallons per day? By understanding your daily water requirements, we can size a system to meet or exceed your needs.
Effi ciency — DC brushless permanent magnet motors can range as high as 93 percent effi ciency. This means a lower motor operating temperature which increases the life of the product.
Each brand of solar pump performs differently in low light situations.
The low-effi ciency products will not operate in cloudy conditions or early in the morning, which greatly reduces the total gallons pumped per day. Some manufacturers even use AC to DC conversion, which is extremely ineffi cient and can require as much as 60 percent more solar power to operate at the same conditions of service as DC brushless permanent magnet motor driven pumps, which greatly increases the total system cost. These types of pumps also perform very poorly in low light conditions.
Maintenance Cost — Certain brands of solar powered pumps do not offer replacement parts due to their electronic controls be- ing housed in the motor and sealed as a complete unit. The price
may be attractive on the initial purchase; however, when it comes time to work on these pumps, you will fi nd yourself spending 100 percent
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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