Solar Water Pump Sizing Calculator

If you are looking to switch from traditional fuel-based water pumps to a more environmentally friendly option, solar water pumps are a great alternative. However, choosing the right size for your specific needs can sometimes be a challenge. That's where our Solar Water Pump Sizing Calculator comes in. This handy tool takes into account factors such as the volume of water you need to pump, the distance it needs to travel, and the height it needs to be lifted. By inputting this information, our calculator will help determine the appropriate pump size to ensure optimal performance. Whether you're considering a solar water pump for agriculture, irrigation, or any other application, our calculator will help make the decision-making process a little easier.

Solar Water Pump Sizing Calculator

Calculate the solar panel and battery requirements for a water pump based on the water flow rate and total head.

gallons per minute (GPM)
feet
percent (%)
Solar Water Pump Sizing Calculator Results
Water Flow Rate0
Total Head0
Pump Efficiency0
Average Sun Hours per Day0
Pump Voltage0
Solar Panel Voltage0
Battery Voltage0
Solar Panel Wattage0
Battery Capacity0

sizing a solar water pump is crucial for efficient water supply in off-grid or environmentally friendly systems. Our solar water pump sizing calculator streamlines this assessment. To gain insights into related calculations, such as solar panel voltage, link it with our solar panel voltage calculator. This tandem approach provides comprehensive resources for sustainable water pumping.

How to Use the Solar Water Pump Sizing Calculator

The Solar Water Pump Sizing Calculator is a tool designed to calculate the solar panel and battery requirements for a water pump. This calculator is particularly useful for individuals who rely on solar power to pump water for irrigation, livestock, or other purposes. By providing the required input data, users can determine the appropriate solar panel wattage and battery capacity for their water pumping needs.

Instructions for Utilizing the Calculator

To use the Solar Water Pump Sizing Calculator, users must input the following data:

  • Water Flow Rate: The rate at which water flows from the pump in gallons per minute (GPM).
  • Total Head: The vertical distance from the pump to the point of discharge, including friction loss in feet.
  • Pump Efficiency: The percentage of energy that the pump converts into hydraulic power.
  • Average Sun Hours per Day: The average number of hours of sunlight per day in the region.
  • Pump Voltage: The voltage required to operate the pump, which can be 12V, 24V, or 48V.
  • Solar Panel Voltage: The voltage rating of the solar panel, which can be 12V, 24V, or 48V.
  • Battery Voltage: The voltage rating of the battery, which can be 12V, 24V, or 48V.

The calculator outputs two values:

  • Solar Panel Wattage: The minimum wattage of the solar panel required to operate the water pump.
  • Battery Capacity: The minimum battery capacity required to store the energy generated by the solar panel.

Formula

The Solar Water Pump Sizing Calculator uses the following formula to calculate the solar panel wattage and battery capacity:

  • Panel Wattage = (Water Flow Rate x Total Head x 0.00134) / (Pump Efficiency x Average Sun Hours per Day)
  • Battery Capacity = (Panel Wattage x Average Sun Hours per Day) / Battery Voltage

In plain English, the formula calculates the amount of energy required to pump water from a certain depth, taking into account the efficiency of the pump, the hours of sunlight per day, and the voltage of the battery.

Illustrative Examples

Let's say you want to pump water from a depth of 50 feet at a rate of 5 GPM using a 12V pump that is 70% efficient. The region receives an average of 6 hours of sunlight per day, and you want to use a 12V solar panel and battery.

Using the Solar Water Pump Sizing Calculator, the minimum solar panel wattage required is calculated as follows:

Panel Wattage = (5 x 50 x 0.00134) / (0.7 x 6) = 2.34

Therefore, the minimum wattage of the solar panel required to operate the water pump is 2.34W.

The minimum battery capacity required to store the energy generated by the solar panel can be calculated as follows:

Battery Capacity = (2.34 x 6) / 12 = 1.17

Therefore, the minimum battery capacity required is 1.17 Ah.

Illustrative Table Example

Water Flow Rate (GPM)Total Head (ft)Pump Efficiency (%)Sun Hours per DayPanel Voltage (V)Battery Voltage (V)Solar Panel Wattage (W)Battery Capacity (Ah)
55070612122.341.17
44080724244.114.09
760658484812.3912.47

The Solar Water Pump Sizing Calculator is an essential tool for individuals who rely on solar power to pump water. By providing the required input data, users can accurately calculate the minimum solar panel wattage and battery capacity required to meet their water pumping needs. This ensures that they can choose the appropriate equipment and avoid overloading their solar power system. Whether you're a farmer, a rancher, or a homesteader, the Solar Water Pump Sizing Calculator can help you make informed decisions about your water pumping system and ensure a reliable supply of water for your needs.

About the Author


Author Image

Shamim Mahir
Engineer

Shamim Mahir is a Bangladeshi engineer who graduated with a degree in engineering and has been working in the field for 3 years.