Choosing the Right Solar Pump for Your Property

Solar pumping is a practical way to move water on rural properties, particularly where mains power is difficult to access. Whether you need to supply livestock troughs, fill a storage tank, transfer dam water or support irrigation, choosing the right system starts with understanding your water requirements and the conditions on your property.

A suitable solar pump needs to deliver the required amount of water at the height and distance your application demands. Before comparing pumps or panel packages, gather the following information.

1. Identify Your Water Source

Your water source helps determine the type of pump you need.

• Bores: Generally require a submersible pump selected to suit the bore dimensions, pumping water level and available yield.
• Dams and waterways: May suit a surface or submersible pump, depending on the installation and water conditions.
• Storage tanks: May suit a surface pump for transfer, irrigation or pressure supply.

Water quality also matters. Let your supplier know if the water contains sand, sediment or other material that could affect pump selection.

2. Calculate Your Daily Water Requirements

Start with how many litres you need each day. Consider livestock consumption, tank replenishment, irrigation demand and seasonal changes.

For irrigation, also identify the flow and pressure required while the system is operating. Daily water volume alone does not tell you whether a pump can run your sprinklers or irrigation equipment.

3. Measure the Lift and Pumping Distance

The pump must overcome the vertical lift from the water source to the discharge point, along with friction losses through the pipework.

Useful information includes:

• The pumping water level in your bore, rather than only the total bore depth.
• The height of the receiving tank or discharge point.
• The total pipe length and internal pipe diameter.
• Any pressure required at the outlet.
• Fittings, valves and other equipment along the pipeline.

A long pipeline or undersized pipe can significantly affect performance, even when the elevation change is small.

4. Consider When You Need the Water

Solar pumping output changes with available sunlight. Weather, shading, panel positioning and seasonal conditions can all affect how much water a system delivers.

Where practical, pumping into a storage tank during daylight can help provide water when the pump is not operating. Tank capacity should reflect your water demand and the reliability you need.

If you require pumping outside daylight hours, ask about a system designed to accept a compatible mains or generator backup supply. Backup capability varies between pumps and controllers.

5. Check What the Package Includes

Solar pump packages can have different inclusions. Before ordering, confirm whether your selected package includes:

• The pump and motor.
• A compatible controller.
• Solar panels.
• Panel mounting equipment.
• Cable and electrical connections.
• Water level controls or float switches.
• Any accessories required for your installation.

Pipework, installation and freight may need to be arranged separately. Always check the individual product listing and quotation.

Need Help Selecting a Solar Pump?

Land & Water can help you compare solar pumping options for your application. Send our team your water source details, daily water requirement, pumping distance, elevation and pipe size so we can help identify a suitable system.

Suggested Shopify tags: Solar Pumps, Pump Selection
Suggested excerpt: Find out what information you need before choosing a solar pump, from your water source and daily demand to pumping distance, elevation and package inclusions.