Abstract
While pressurized irrigation systems can be effectively powered using renewable energy sources, no serious related study is found in Iran in this regard. In the present study, in two different climatic conditions in Iran, development of small-scale solar irrigation were evaluated financially and compared with that of systems powered by the fossil fuel and electricity grid. Financial analysis of systems was provided using life cycle cost (LCC) method. Results showed that in the case of 4.5 and 5.5 kW pumps (for citrus orchard and a vineyard, respectively), photovoltaic irrigation pumps with batteries for energy storage are comparable to the systems in which the electricity used to drive pumps is transmitted through 0.25 km and 1.8 km private lines. It was concluded that, generally, if the required power of irrigation pumps exceeds 3 kW, the electricity supplied by a private power transmission line is more affordable than in-situ generated photovoltaic electricity, if the length of transmission line is less than 2 km. It was also observed that for required power less than 4.5 kW, photovoltaic energy is somewhat comparable to fossil fuel. As Iran is dependent upon its highly subsidized fossil fuels, the financing of solar irrigation projects will not be possible without the help of new policies and laws.
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