Optimum design of a photovoltaic powered pumping system

Photovoltaic (PV)-powered pumping systems are relatively simple and reliable. Hence, they are applied worldwide. Two conventional techniques are currently in use: The first is the 'directly-coupled' system where a PV array is directly coupled to a d.c. motor-pump group; the second is the 'battery-buffered' sytem where a battery is connected across the array to feed the d.c. motor that drives the pump. Recently, a third system has been proposed, namely, the 'switched-mode' PV-powered pumping system. This system couples the pump to the PV array directly when the storage battery is fully charged. The objective is the maximum utilization of available solar radiation to minimize the cost per pumped cubic meter from a given water depth. For a given location, four main parameters affect the design of this system: (i) d.c. motor-pump group parameters; (ii) PV array size; (iii) battery storage size, and (iv) water storage tank size. It is found that some of the factors are more effective in reducing the cost than others. The PV array size is the predominant factor, while the battery storage and water-tank sizes have relatively less effect. A detailed economic analysis is given. (orig.)