Energy generation and flow rate prediction of photovoltaic water pumping system for irrigation

Abstract

This paper aims to present future energy and flow rate generation scenario of conventionally designed photovoltaic water pumping system for irrigation using projected climate change and degradation factor. The mean monthly water flow rate from the pump was predicted for different months using expected power for 16S × 1P PV array configuration. The mean monthly expected power from solar PV system was estimated using climate change forecast of solar radiation and temperature for 30 years of lifetime period of solar PV pumping system. The estimation of expected power at predicted solar radiation and temperature also includes the yearly system components degradation rate. The water flow rates were predicted using an experimentally developed mathematical model for a given pump. The experimental model simulates the water flow rate for various solar power and heads (30 m, 40 m and 50 m). The field data were obtained using a pumping test facility located at a farm site of IIT Kharagpur (India). It was found that the flow rate increases with the increase in pump power for each head. The yearly pattern of predicted energy and flow rate for different months showed a decreasing trend as the projected temperature rise and component degradation reduces the energy yield from the PV array. The results indicated that the overall reduction in the capacity of a PV system is in the range of 25–27% for different months in which climate change (rise in temperature) showed minor effect (3%) and can be neglected. The mitigating measures for energy loss are required to fulfil future irrigation demand.