Transitioning from Diesel to Solar Power for Your Borehole Pump

Are you considering switching from a diesel generator to solar power for your 0.75 hp submersible pump running your borehole 40 meters deep? This transition doesn't have to be complicated if you plan it properly. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps to determine how many solar panels and what type of inverter you need for your pump.

Step 1: Calculate the Power Requirement

To begin, we need to calculate the power requirement of your 0.75 hp submersible pump well. Here’s how you do it:

Convert horsepower to watts:

1 hp 746 watts
0.75 hp 0.75 × 746 559.5 watts
Approximately 560 watts.

Consider efficiency:

Assume an efficiency of about 85% for the pump and the inverter combined:

Power requirement 560 watts / 0.85 658.8 watts
Approximately 660 watts.

Step 2: Determine Solar Panel Output

The next step is to determine the solar panel output and how many panels you need:

Choose solar panel wattage:

Common solar panels are rated between 300 watts to 400 watts. For our calculations, let's use 300-watt panels.

Calculate the number of panels needed:

To run the pump continuously, assume you want to run it for 5 hours a day:

Daily energy requirement 660 watts × 5 hours 3300 watt-hours or 3.3 kWh.

Number of panels Daily energy requirement / Panel wattage × Peak sun hours.

Assuming an average of 5 peak sun hours per day:

Number of panels 3300 , text{watt-hours} / (300 , text{watts} times 5 , text{hours}) 3300 / 1500 approx 2.2

Therefore, you would need at least 3 panels to ensure you have enough power.

Step 3: Choose the Inverter

It's crucial to select the right inverter to handle the power requirements and ensure smooth operation:

Inverter size:

You need an inverter that can handle at least 660 watts. To account for surge power when the pump starts, a good rule of thumb is to select an inverter between 1000 watts to 1500 watts.

Summary

For your borehole pump, the necessary components are:

Solar Panels: At least 3 panels rated at 300 watts each. Inverter: A 1000 to 1500-watt inverter that can handle the starting surge.

Additional Considerations

Battery Storage:

If you want to run your pump when sunlight is not available, consider adding battery storage to your system.

Charge Controller:

Ensure you include a solar charge controller appropriate for your battery type and system to regulate the charging process.

Installation:

Consult with a solar energy professional for installation and to ensure that your system meets local regulations and safety standards.

This setup should enable you to smoothly transition from a diesel generator to a solar-powered system for your borehole pump.