Development of a solar energy-powered surface water pump

Abstract

Availability in energy and water sustainability are mounting concerns in several parts of the world where connection to the electric utility is not obtainable or irregular. There is a need to develop an alternative source of energy for pumping water. This research developed a solar energy powered 1.5 horsepower surface water pump. It comprises of the following major components: charge controller, 24 Volts DC battery, 3KVA inverter, solar panel and 1119W surface water pumping machine. The components were designed and assembled according to functions. Solar energy is used to charge the battery through solar controller. The solar charge controller used in this research was designed in such a way that it regulates the quantity of electrical energy that is stored in the battery which prevents overcharging, thereby ensuring no reduction in life span of the battery. The inverter was designed in such a way that when there is no alternative power supply from the electricity distribution company, that is, power holding company of Nigeria (PHCN), it can make use of the energy stored in the battery to power the single phase motor used to pump water into a tank. Similarly, when there is power supply from PHCN, it has an inbuilt change over switch (relay) to connect it’s output of 220 volts AC supply from PHCN used to charge a battery through a charge controller. Experiments were setup to analyze varying loads on the inverter. Average time obtained for varying loads of 0, 120, 500, 1000, 1300w are 200, 23, 9.8, 4.3 and 2.9hr. Comparisons were also made between locally built and imported inverters. It can be concluded from the results obtained that the design can best be put in use to obtain maximum efficiency of 88.2% at a load in the range of 1000–1300 watts.