Module 7:

Design
The Toolbox on Solar Powered Irrigation Systems is made possible through the global initiative
Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development (PAEGC). In 2012, the
United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Swedish International
Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the German Federal Ministry for Economic
Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Duke Energy, and the Overseas Private Investment
Cooperation (OPIC) combined resources to create the PAEGC initiative. The objective of
PAEGC is to support new and sustainable approaches to accelerate the development and
deployment of clean energy solutions for increasing agriculture productivity and/or value for
farmers and agribusinesses in developing countries and emerging regions that lack access to
reliable, affordable clean energy.

Published by
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of BMZ as
a funding partner of the global initiative Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for
Development (PAEGC) and
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Responsible
GIZ Project Sustainable Energy for Food – Powering Agriculture

Contact
[email protected]

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https://energypedia.info/wiki/Toolbox_on_SPIS

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Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development: https://poweringag.org

Version
1.0 (March 2018)

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ABBREVIATIONS

Ah Ampere hour
CWR Crop Water Requirement
DC/AC Direct Current / Alternating Current
ET Evapotranspiration
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Gd Daily Global Irradiation
GIZ Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
GIWR Gross Irrigation Water Requirement
GPFI Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion
HERA GIZ Program Poverty-oriented Basic Energy Services
HT Total Head
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission
IFC International Finance Corporation
IRR Internal Rate of Return
IWR Irrigation Water Requirement
MPPT Maximum Power Point Tracking
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
NIWR Net Irrigation Water Requirement
NPV Net Present Value
m2 square meter
PV photovoltaic
PVP Photovoltaic Pump
SAT Side Acceptance Test
SPIS Solar Powered Irrigation System
STC Standard Test Conditions
TC Temperature Coefficient
UV Ultraviolet
Vd Daily crop water requirement
W Watt
Wp Watt peak
 DESIGN

1. Collect data

2. Analyze agricultural production options

3. Determine water requirements and availability

4. Select SPIS configuration

5. Estimate system size and costs

6. Assess financial viability

7. Pre-select potential suppliers

8. Evaluate quotations and assess quality

9. Contract supplier
MODULE AIM & ORIENTATION SPIS for a particular location makes sense
at all. Once it is confirmed that an SPIS is
This module provides information and the preferred option, it is crucial that
tools for agricultural service providers on design adheres to the intended use. Once
how to estimate the dimensions, type and the crop water requirements, solar
financial viability of Solar Powered radiation and system pressure have been
Irrigation Systems for a specific farming established, the technical design can then
situation. An SPIS consists of multiple be prepared. The technical planner can
components that work under constantly choose from a number of methods of
varying daily and seasonal conditions. The varying complexity and accuracy to come
design of an SPIS lays the foundation for up with a final design. Before deciding on
the system’s technical, financial and a particular contract provider, the cost
environmental viability. In particular with quotation from the system integrator
regard to financial implications and the risk should be thoroughly assessed.
of unsustainable water abstraction, the
decision requires thorough consideration.
Therefore, this module is also highly
relevant for financial service providers. For
more this module should enable the
advisor to judge whether the installation of
an SPIS would be more suitable and
viable than using alternative irrigation
systems. The tools are described and
referred to in the different process steps of
this module. Important design parameters
can be estimated with simplified formulas
to gain insights into understanding a more
detailed design. Given the complex
interactions between the different
components under different environments,
the tools of this module do not replace a
detailed technical design created by
professionals in solar and irrigation
technology.

PROCESS STEPS

Before designing an SPIS, it is important

to assess the opportunities and threats of
an SPIS in a particular area. The
institutional setting and environmental
aspects, as described in the PROMOTE &
INITIATE and the SAFEGUARD WATER
modules, are important framework
conditions. In addition, local, up-to-date
information on markets for input and
output (crop sales) and other information
are key to deciding whether designing an

1
 1. COLLECT DATA

For a proper design of an SPIS, a set of systems are based on existing data
data and information is required on the derived from nearby reference locations.
meteorology, soil, crop, water and other Data and information on evapotrans-
site-specific parameters. The data can be piration and crop water requirements can
obtained from a combination of interviews be obtained from agricultural offices or
with the producer, on-site field observation extension services. Finally, a field visit has
and off-site data (internet, databases, to be organized to validate the collected
etc.). The producer has to tell the designer data and to complement it with local
what crops are to be grown at what time information on e.g. soil and water quality,
and how the crops are to be managed. shadowing from trees or hill tops, ease of
The producer may want to use fertigation access to the site, the pumping head and
for accelerated growth, or the producer more.
may opt for fruit trees instead of annual
The DESIGN – Site Data Collection Tool
crops. Based on the location of the farm, a
contains interview guidelines and check-
lot of data can be collected off-site, such
lists to ensure that all required information
as meteorological data, topography and
for creating an SPIS design is available.
perhaps even information on water
The DESIGN – SPIS Suitability Check
availability. While an on-site survey of
Tool is used to make a qualitative check if
solar radiation and other meteorological
a site is suitable for an SPIS.
data would be a worthwhile exercise, most
Photo: Lennart
Woltering

SPIS data collection field in India

(Source: Lennart Woltering)

2
 IMPORTANT ISSUES
OUTCOME / PRODUCT
 SPIS requires the producer to cope
 Detailed description of farm-
with varying water flows over the
specific situation, as a basis for the
day and over the year.
assessment of the suitable
configuration and the technical  Insufficient evaluation of water
design; requirements and availability on-
site often lead to under- or
 DESIGN –Site Data Collection
oversized PV systems. This
Tool to collect all the information
frequently occurs in subsidy-driven
required to create a design for an
markets, where the system designs
SPIS;
are standardized and the size is
 DESIGN – SPIS Suitability Check not scalable.
Tool to check a site’s suitability for
SPIS.

DATA REQUIREMENTS

 meteorological data: insolation,

temperature, wind speed, humidity,
rainfall, evaporation;
 site data: longitude, latitude,
altitude, water source, pumping
head, shadowing, climate, terrain;
 crop data: crop type and variety,
growing season, crop rotation, crop
water requirements, fertilizer, crop
protection requirements;
 soil data: soil type, salinity, water
holding capacity, organic matter
content, fertility;
 water data: availability,
groundwater recharge, water
rights, salinity, temperature, algae
content, sediment content;
 market data: demand situation,
selling price, seasonality, market
type and distances.

PEOPLE / STAKEHOLDERS

 producers / producer groups;

 agricultural service providers;
 water resources management
authorities;
 meteorological service providers;
 system integrators.

4
 2. ANALYZE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION OPTIONS

It is important to design an SPIS that is play an important advisory role in this

affordable and profitable. Profitability regard and should be able to give farmers
depends on the revenues, or the income access to capacity building programs.
earned from selling the crop. The choice of
crops to grow is therefore critical: OUTCOME / PRODUCT
 Tree crops, such as oranges and  Overview of crop budgets showing
mangos, only start generating costs of production and expected
revenues after 3 to 5 years. revenues based on local market
 Vegetables are difficult to grow and information;
transport, but generally bring high  model cropping calendar.
revenue.
 Staple crops such as millet, DATA REQUIREMENTS
sorghum and maize are often low
value and seldom justify the The data required for analyzing
investment in irrigation systems. agricultural production is available from
 Other crops or crops for processing the farm’s own records and external
(biofuel) can bring high revenues, service providers. It includes:
depending on the local market.  a compilation of all crops in the
farm’s actual cropping pattern;
Each crop has a different crop budget:
costs of production vs. expected revenues.  yield level and market price for
The role of the agricultural extension crops;
advisors is to inform producers what (mix  production costs (seed, fertilizer,
of) crops bring the best returns in a plant protection, traction, transport,
particular area. The producer then draws labor, services).
up a crop calendar for the whole year
indicating which crop should be grown PEOPLE / STAKEHOLDERS
when and on what area of the field. Since
the market for crops is dynamic, it is  Producers/farm households;
crucial remain up-to-date on price  agricultural extension services;
developments. Prices for vegetables can  technology and service providers.
easily multiply 3 to 4-fold within a season.
Important: IMPORTANT ISSUES
The profitability of an irrigated farm highly  The agricultural extension agent
depends on the cultivation of the right crop should be able to help producers to
at the right time. Two identical SPIS develop an annual cropping
systems, where one farmer grows maize calendar with the optimum mix of
and the other grows tomatoes, will show crops.
very different financial returns.
 Depending on water availability,
The definition of a high-value crop producers should aim to cultivate
depends on the market. In general year-round to justify the investment
vegetables and fruits are considered to be in the irrigation infrastructure.
high-value crops. Proper production of  The capacity of the producer to
fruits and vegetables requires skilled labor grow high-value crops is critical.
and a suitable strategy on soil fertility and
pest management. Agricultural advisors

5
 3. DETERMINE WATER REQUIREMENTS AND AVAILABILITY

Water requirements: The amount of Water availability: In terms of planning

water needed by a plant depends on the and designing any irrigation system, the
climate, the crop as well as management initial consideration should always be the
and environmental conditions. It is requirement and the availability of water
expressed as Crop Water Requirement (access to water, water rights and
(CWR) (see GET INFORMED – Irrigation concession, well or borehole yield).
Principles). Subsequently, a system can be designed
based on the water availability and the
Calculating crop water requirements is a
most suitable and possible cropping
complex task but with the help of useful
pattern. Water abstraction and irrigation
software tools, such as CROPWAT,
system components need to be adapted to
experienced agricultural extension workers
each other in order to achieve the best
are able to give advice to individual
result in terms of technical, financial and
producers. CROPWAT is available with
environmental viability.
FAO after registration and is free of charge
(see link at the end of this module).
Agricultural offices and extension services
are usually in a position to provide CWR
data for the most common crops in an
area, based on the prevailing local climate
conditions.
The sum of the individual Crop Water
Requirements (CWR) for each plant in the
field determines the Net Irrigation Water
Requirements (NIWR) for a given period of
time. The NIWR determines how much
water a crop requires to satisfy its demand
for water in the soil. However, water is
never 100% efficiently applied as there
may be leaks or other losses in the
system. Efficiency is largely dependent on
the irrigation method (e.g. furrow, basin,
drip or sprinkler irrigation). The Gross
Irrigation Water Requirement (GIWR) is
used to express the quantity of water that
is required in the irrigation system. It is
Photo: Lennart

important to subtract the water that is fed

Woltering

to the root zone of the plants through

precipitation. The DESIGN – System
Sizing Tool helps design the irrigation
system so as to ensure that as little Water availability is a crucial design factor for any
pressure as possible is lost in the system. irrigation system
In addition, it serves as a checklist to
identify pressure losses, e.g. due to leaks (Source: Lennart Woltering)
in an existing system.

6
OUTCOME / PRODUCT  a proper pump design takes the
site-specific well capacity into
 Water availability; account;
 total irrigation water demand;  efficient water abstraction
monitoring needs to be planned;
 alternative irrigation schedules;
 demand for irrigation water will
 hydraulic characteristic of irrigation vary throughout the year, with peak
system; demands often more than twice the
 DESIGN – System Sizing Tool to average demand.
check on pressure losses in the
system.

DATA REQUIREMENTS

 Local evapotranspiration (ETo

data);
 rainfall, wind and insolation data;
 crop details (e.g. ETc values);
 soil characteristics;
 type of irrigation system and
efficiency;
 water license/rights, well and
aquifer capacities on site.

PEOPLE / STAKEHOLDERS

 Producers;
 agricultural service providers;
 meteorological service providers;
 water authorities;
 water user associations.

IMPORTANT ISSUES

 CROPWAT includes standard crop

and soil data but would require
local data input to do accurate
prediction at farm level;
 Overexploitation or persistent
groundwater depletion may occur if
groundwater abstraction
continuously exceeds the natural
groundwater recharge (severe
negative environmental impact),
see SAFEGUARD WATER
module;

7
 4. SELECT SPIS CONFIGURATION

A SPIS can be designed in many ways; irrigation management skills. The

major variations will lie in the combination suitability of a particular system
of key components: configuration for a given farm depends on
the water availability, the farm’s specific
 solar mounting system (fixed or
water requirements, its agricultural
tracking);
production and the producer’s skills and
 motor pump installation budget.
(submersible or surface);
The human and financial resources
 integration of a reservoir or not;
required for maintenance should already
 irrigation method – mainly drip or be considered in the design of the system.
surface irrigation. As a rule, higher investments in good
quality equipment outweigh the time and
An overview and description of different effort put into maintaining and repairing
configurations of the individual poor quality equipment.
components is provided in the GET
INFORMED module. The figure below shows an SPIS
configuration where one saves on the
Technically, any irrigation method can be costs for the reservoir but spends on the
combined with a solar water pump. tracking systems. The tracking system
However, it becomes a matter of cost. enables a relatively stable pump dis-
Pressure and high discharge require more charge which is important, because there
energy and therefore higher costs. Drip is no reservoir to buffer the amount of
irrigation, working at comparably low water going to the field. The water can
operating pressures and water efficient, further be controlled by the valves and by
suits solar pumping systems best. Yet, it splitting up of the drip irrigation system in
requires that the producer learns new sections.

SPIS configuration with a solar tracking system, surface pump and drip irrigation
(Source: GFA)

8
The next figure shows another, more  agricultural service providers;
common, configuration where water is  technology providers/system
pumped from the ground and stored in an integrators.
elevated reservoir. The water goes
through the irrigation head, which can be IMPORTANT ISSUES
equipped with volumetric valves, and/or a
fertigation system. Nevertheless the  PV water pumping works best with
producer is forced to divide the field into low pressure drip irrigation
small sections to allow a relatively systems.
controlled distribution of water across the
 The direct connection of the solar
field. This SPIS configuration requires
pump to the irrigation system leads
relatively little maintenance as the panels
to a dynamic and varying hydraulic
and the pump are fixed.
load, which makes planning more
complex.
DATA REQUIREMENTS
 Varying hydraulic loads can be
 Results of on-site data collection; mitigated by (a) using automatic
valves, (b) adapting irrigation field
 results of comparative financial
size (c) and solar tracking.
analysis.
 Combining PV-based water
PEOPLE / STAKEHOLDERS pumping with traditional surface
irrigation methods tends to be non-
 Producers; viable in financial terms.

SPIS configuration with the solar panels fixed, submersible pump, a reservoir and surface irrigation
(Source: GFA)

9
 5. ESTIMATE SYSTEM SIZE AND COSTS

Proper sizing of the components of an

SPIS is critical, since an SPIS with
insufficient capacity will not satisfy the
farmers’ needs and an over dimensioned
system will induce unnecessary operation The DESIGN – Pump Sizing Tool (Excel-
and capital costs. Negligence of the based worksheet) can be used to
sustainable water yield of water sources determine the approximate solar generator
may result in water shortage and a size, which serves as guideline when
depletion of water resources, thus having engaging with SPIS technology suppliers.
negative impacts on the farm budget and
the environment. It is therefore very The approximate cost of the planned PV
important to be in close contact with the system can be calculated by multiplying
farmer during the planning phase and to the country-specific average system cost
inform him about the advantages and [currency/kWp] and the calculated PV
limits of SPIS. generator power (P peak).
The required size of the PV generator can The final design of the PV pump and
be estimated using the following irrigation system should be left to
parameters: experienced system integrators who use
computer-based system sizing and
 daily crop water requirement Vd simulation tools such as COMPASS,
[m3/day] WinCAPS and PVSYST, HydroCALC,
 total pumping head HT [m] GESTAR (See Further Reading, Links and
 mean daily global solar radiation G Tools at the end of the Module).
for the design month [kWh/m2day]. Following this procedure, the principal
analytical steps to support decision-
A simple arithmetic formula that takes the
making should be completed. The
individual system component efficiencies
technical, agronomical and financial
into account can be used to estimate the
aspects of the possible SPIS configuration
required solar-generating peak power
(and alternatives) should now be available.
P peak [Wp]
OUTCOME / PRODUCT
H x Vd  Required PV generator size;
= 8,0

peak
pre-selection of motor/pump unit;
 motor/pump characteristics;
 layout of water distribution system;
Example: It is calculated that crops in an  daily course of solar irradiation and
irrigation system require 30 m³/d and field water flow;
observations confirm that water needs to  system cost estimate;
be pumped up 50 meters from a borehole  system cost parameters;
to a reservoir. From the NASA website it
 suitability check list / evaluation.
becomes clear that the daily total global
irradiation at the location of the farm is 5
kWh/m²day. According to this equation, a
2400 Wp PV generator is required.

10
DATA REQUIREMENTS

 Daily crop water requirement Vd

[m³/day];
 total pumping head Ht [m];
 mean daily global solar radiation G
for the design month [kWh/m²day];
 country-specific costs of PV pump
[Currency/kWp].

PEOPLE / STAKEHOLDERS

 Agricultural service providers;

 experienced system integrators.

IMPORTANT ISSUES

 A commercial software solution

that integrates design for the PV
pump and the irrigation system is
currently not available on the
market.
 SPIS usually have to be oversized
to meet these peak demands,
resulting in a fairly low degree of
system utilization.

11
 6. ASSESS FINANCIAL VIABILITY

Solar Powered Irrigation Systems have The tools INVEST – Farm Analysis Tool
become a financially viable alternative to and INVEST – Payback Tool (under the
electric and diesel water pumps for INVEST Module) are both designed to
irrigation of agriculture crops. This is mainly assist in determining financial viability of
due to the fact that: the SPIS. While the former allows for
assessing the profitability of the farm
 PV module costs have declined in
enterprise, the latter compares that
recent years;
payback potential of different irrigation
 PV systems are more reliable and technologies.
cost effective;
Note: cost estimates needed for these
 PV equipment is more accessible
tools should be secured from technology
in many parts of the world,
and service suppliers.
including expertise for set up and
maintenance.

The following key indicators and financial statements help to assess the financial viability:

Assessment criteria Used as it shows:

...if a project generates enough cash in order to stay liquid; i.e. it
cf - Cash flow analysis
can pay all cash.
...how long it takes for the cost of an investment to be recovered;
PP - Payback Period
very basic calculation.
...if a project generates sufficient income (and surplus) to finance
NPV – Net Present Value
the employed capital and interest on that capital.
…the estimated profit rate generated by the project / investment
IRR – Internal Rate of Return over its life-span.
...differences in costs between project alternatives over the entire
Total life cycle cost
life cycle of these alternatives.

Assessing the financial viability of a SPIS The financial analysis builds on three
is a complex procedure, which should be major inputs:
discussed with financial experts. This
1. the revenues from
module only gives an overview of key data
required. Note that all calculations: a. direct: selling goods/services;

 need to be based on prices which b. indirect: avoided payments (e.g.

can be determined but also on consumption of food produced, or
estimates and assumptions; energy costs).
 will have to consider the current 2. Capital expenditure (CAPEX): long
situation and future scenarios; term, one-time, investments in non-
 should compare options for consumable parts of the business, like
alternative pumping systems a. costs for solar pumping system,
(electric, diesel). reservoir, irrigation system;

12
 b. (opportunity cost for) labor for  annual revenue and operating
construction and set up; expenses (OPEX) and annual
c. equipment for processing, storage; gross margin of production (current
and future + other energy options);
d. reinvestment costs.  CAPEX (capital expenditure); i.e.
3. Operating expenses (OPEX): ongoing total/annual sum for financing
operational and maintenance costs investment in SPIS (and alternative
(fixed and variable) system).
a. seeds, fertilizer, pesticides and other
inputs for production; PEOPLE / STAKEHOLDERS

b. costs for processing such as  Agricultural service provider;

cleaning, packaging, quality control;  financial service providers;
c. maintenance, transport and  public entities promoting or/and
advertising costs; subsidizing SPIS initiatives;
d. labor costs, incl. opportunity cost for  farmers, associations of producers
producers own work; / potential lenders;
e. depreciation and maybe credit costs  market analysts/consultants;
to pay back a loan.
IMPORTANT ISSUES
OUTCOME / PRODUCT
When comparing PV systems to diesel or
 Cash flow projections; electric pumping systems the following
statements apply:
 Payback Period (pp);
 Net Present Value (NPV);  CAPEX: Initial capital costs needed
for a Diesel-based system are
 Internal Rate of Return (IRR);
lower than PV solutions; however
 total life cycle costs of the SPIS replacement costs for Diesel
investment. systems occur more frequently.
 OPEX + cash flow:
DATA REQUIREMENTS
o diesel and electric systems
Research, collect, analyze, cross- have higher regular operating
check: expenses (petrol cost +
transport/energy price + grid
 project/SPIS functional lifetime; connection) than PV;
 capital expenditures / initial capital o maintenance costs for the PV
investment (i.e. prices for system are low (see
components to be financed) for MAINTAIN module);
solar and alternative options o due to the high initial
 sales revenues (market prices); investment of PV systems they
 operating and maintenance costs; risk having higher regular
 macroeconomic variables (inflation, financing costs (loan
interest rates, etc.); instalments and interest rate
payments) when compared to
 tax policies (corporate income diesel-based systems.
taxes, VAT dynamics, etc.);
These factors influence the financial
viability of the different options; hence,
Compute, prepare: different scenarios should be elaborated
 water unit cost; before taking a decision.

13
 7. PRE-SELECT POTENTIAL SUPPLIERS

Now that a technical design with costing is Also assess whether the service provider
available, it is time to compare quotations maintains any local representation in the
and select a supplier. area of the farm. This enables swift
response to maintenance and repair
Supplier pre-selection: The market for
requests, including spare part supply.
SPIS is still developing. Therefore the
Long service response times can result in
solar pumps are mostly not found in the
crop damage during system breakdowns.
portfolio of traditional agricultural service
providers. Instead, PV pump Design data and timing: A complete set
manufacturers often select specialized PV of high-quality design data has to be
distributors and system integrators to included when requesting a quotation. The
market their products. Several aspects accuracy of the site-specific sizing data
need to be considered when shortlisting (Vd, Ht, G) needs to be assured. A
potential suppliers/system integrators: submission deadline for quotations / offers
should be set by leaving sufficient
 look for leading brands in the
preparation time (e.g. 4 weeks).
service provider’s portfolio;
 check for long-term experience in OUTCOME / PRODUCT
the field of solar water pumping;
 check if a regional distribution  Request for quotation;
network and a functioning spare  if a tender process is preferred to a
part supply exists; straight-forward dealer / buyer
 check whether after-sale services arrangement: set of tender
are provided. documents, including a
comprehensive description of
Holistic solutions, which include the system requirements;
photovoltaic pump and the water  system cost and after-sale services
distribution system, can only rarely be included in quotations / offers.
found on the market, although it is useful
to have integrated system configuration to DATA REQUIREMENTS
increase overall system efficiency and
reliability of SPIS. Suppliers offering turn-  Results of on-site data collection;
key solutions should be preferred, if they  information on product portfolio;
are able to adapt all system components
to site conditions and to producer needs.  experience of potential suppliers /
retailers.
Quality and safety requirements: A
precondition for safe operation and IMPORTANT ISSUES
durability of the SPIS is that all system
components fulfill minimum quality and  An integrated SPIS design that
safety standards. When requesting includes a pumping and irrigation
quotations and tender bids, it should be system is usually not available –
clearly stated that only high-quality system components need to be
products, which meet international harmonized to provide the best
standards (e.g. IEC, ISO) are to be offered. result.
Certificates have to be provided by the  Large quality differences exist in all
system integrator to confirm system system components available on
quality. A quotation should also include the the market.
service provider’s after-sale warranty and
service details and costs.

14
 8. EVALUATE QUOTATIONS AND ASSESS QUALITY

On the submission date, the quotations / connections, single-wire cables with

offers by different suppliers are to be double insulation are a practicable and
opened and need to be evaluated with reliable solution. They should be UV and
regard to technical and financial aspects. weather resistant and suitable for a wide
The following factors should be taken into temperature range.
consideration:
PV array combiner box
 For the comparison and evaluation The combiner box should be made to
of the different quotations / offers, it Protection Class II and demonstrate a
is advisable to prepare an Excel clear separation of the positive and
worksheet in which features and negative sides within the box. If mounted
prices of the individual system externally, it should be protected to at
components and services are least IP54 Ingress Protection rating or
entered. higher).
 The definition of evaluation criteria
and weighting of technical and Note: The protection class from EN60529
financial aspects facilitate the is indicated by short symbols that consist
assessment. of the two code letters IP and a code
numeral specifying the protection degree.
The following aspects help to assess the The first digit represents limited protection
quality of system components offered: against dust ingress (no harmful deposits).
The second digit represents protection
Warranty period against splash water from any direction.
It is important to assess the warranty Mounting structures
period, which is often limited to 5 years.
Individual system components, such as In most Solar Powered Irrigation Systems,
solar panels, usually come with a 10 year PV panels are installed in the open field
product guarantee and a linear and therefore require a sturdy and
performance warranty which guarantees at weather-resistant mounting structure.
least 80% power output by the end of the Quality mounting systems consist of
25th year. galvanized steel or aluminum profiles.
When mounting PV panels and profiles,
Solar generator/quality of solar panels specially developed brackets, screws,
Installed under harsh environmental washers and nuts should be used (this
conditions, solar panels are constantly also contributes to reducing the risk of
exposed to high temperatures and UV theft, which should be part of the
irradiance, dust, humidity and rain. This evaluation criteria). To avoid galvanic
puts a lot of stress on embedding corrosion, it is important to select materials
materials and electrical connections. with similar corrosion potentials or to break
Therefore, only high-quality products the electrical connection by insulating the
should be offered that meet the standards two metals from each other.
of the International Electrotechnical Pump controller / inverter
Commission (IEC).
Modern controllers must incorporate high-
Cabling efficiency power electronics and utilize
For the electrical installation of a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)
photovoltaic system, wiring and cabling technology to maximize power use from
should be used that meet the re- the PV generator. Additional features to
quirements for this application. For DC increase system reliability should include

15
over- and under-voltage protection as well OUTCOME / PRODUCT
as protection against reverse polarity,
overload and over-temperature.  Structured comparison of qualified
quotations / offers;
Motor pump
 ranking of quotations / offers;
Solar water pumps must be constructed
 invitation of potential suppliers /
from non-corrosive stainless steel. Since
system integrators for presentation
DC motors tend to have higher overall
and negotiation.
efficiency levels than AC motors of a
similar size, they are often the first choice
DATA REQUIREMENTS
of quality solar pump manufacturers.
Some solar pumps are still equipped with
 Quotations / offers including
comparably cheap brushed DC motors.
technical and financial parts;
The main disadvantage of brushed motors
is that brushes are subject to wear and  unit price listing;
tear and need to be replaced at regular  quality and safety certificates;
intervals (approximately every two years).  technical data sheets of system
Therefore, in terms of system reliability, components;
the use of brushed DC motors is not  hydraulic characteristic of irrigation
recommended as regular maintenance system;
cannot be assured in remote areas of
 information on warranty and after-
developing countries.
sale services.
Water distribution system
PEOPLE / STAKEHOLDERS
Water-saving irrigation technologies
working at comparably low operating
 Producers;
pressures are the preferred option in
connection with PV pumps. To assess the  agricultural service providers;
suitability of the distribution systems, it is  suppliers / system integrators.
important to know the hydraulic
characteristic. Details should be provided IMPORTANT ISSUES
by the supplier / system integrator. The
performance under low operating  High-quality systems that are good
pressures (e.g. in the early morning and value for money should always be
late evening) and the uniformity of water given preference.
distribution across the field is of particular  Costs should never be reduced by
interest. compromising on system quality or
After a first technical evaluation by decreasing support services.
 A conclusion of maintenance
 Results should be discussed with contracts between the producer
other technical experts (agricultural and the service provider is
advisors, research institutes etc.). recommended but not very
 Quoted prices of suppliers and common.
related services offering similar  System integration in the form of
products need to be compared. turn-key solutions is preferable, yet
 The providers with the best still very hard to find.
quotations / offers should be invited
for individual presentation and
negotiation.

16
 9. CONTRACT SUPPLIER

In a final step, the best system provider

needs to be selected based on cost-quality DATA REQUIREMENTS
considerations. In a meeting of the
producer, the agricultural service provider  Technical and financial quotations /
and the shortlisted candidates, the offers;
following topics should be addressed:  shortlisted candidates;
 detailed presentation of offer and  structured comparison of qualified
the SPIS experience by provider; bids;
 explanation of design procedure  clarification of open questions
and tools to be used (e.g. during negotiation.
computer-based sizing);
PEOPLE / STAKEHOLDERS
 product quality and safety
certificates;  Producers;
 warranty, after-sale services and
 agricultural service providers;
spare part supply (e.g.
maintenance contracts);  suppliers / system integrators.
 final negotiation on price, if IMPORTANT ISSUES
required;
 implementation schedule;  Quotations / offers often deviate
 contract details and payment from technical specifications;
conditions.  Significant differences exist
between bidders in terms of
The contract should only be concluded services and warranty.
once all open questions have been
 Implementation scheduling needs
clarified.
to be firm and agreed upon.
In the negotiations with the supplier it is
important to:  Negotiate with the supplier.
 define your goals;
 identify negotiation areas;
 look for win-win situations;
 make realistic proposals;
 clear up misunderstandings;
 make a final summary.

OUTCOME / PRODUCT

 Ultimate quality provider with the

best cost-quality ratio;
 supply contract, including after-
sale services.

17
FURTHER READING, LINKS AND TOOLS

Links
Alfredson, T. & Cungu´, A. (2008): Negotiation Theory and Practice. A Review of the Literature.
FAO. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/docs/up/easypol/550/4-
5_negotiation_background_paper_179en.pdf
Food and Agriculture Organization: Land & Water. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/land-
water/en/
GRUNDFOS. Retrieved from http://de.grundfos.com/
The Grundfos sizing software is called WebCAPS and can be found at
http://net.grundfos.com/Appl/WebCAPS. It works only for the company’s borepump
products, the SQF range, although the site gives you the option of selecting surface
pumps.
Irrigation Association (2017): Irrigation Glossary. Retrieved from
http://www.irrigation.org/IAGlossary
LORENTZ: Submersible Solar Pumps. Retrieved from https://www.lorentz.de/products-and-
technology/pump-types/submersible-solar-pumps
NASA (2016): Surface meteorology and Solar Energy. With the cooperation of Atmospheric
Science Data Centre. Retrieved from http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/sse

SPIS tools
DESIGN – Site Data Collection Tool
is a questionnaire of 29 pages to collect technical, organizational and financial information on
site.
DESIGN – Pump Sizing Tool
is an Excel calculation sheet to calculate pumping head and select pump type.
DESIGN – SPIS Suitability Checklist
is a qualitative checklist on suitability of a site for SPIS.

The following tools that are assigned to other Modules are also relevant:
SAFEGUARD WATER – Water Requirement Tool
IRRIGATE – Soil Tool
INVEST – Payback Tool
INVEST – Farm Analysis Tool

18
GLOSSARY

Aquifer Underground geological formation(s), containing usable

amounts of groundwater that can supply wells or springs for
domestic, industrial, and irrigation uses.
Chemigation The process of applying chemicals (fertilizers, insecticides,
herbicides, etc...) to crops or soil through an irrigation system
with the water.
Conveyance loss Loss of water from a channel or pipe during transport, including
losses due to seepage, leakage, evaporation, and other losses.
Crop coefficient Ratio of the actual crop evapotranspiration to its potential (or
reference) evapotranspiration. It is different for each crop and
changes over time with the crop's growth stage.
Crop Water Requirement The amount of water needed by a plant. It depends on the
(CWR) climate, the crop as well as management and environmental
conditions. It is the same as crop evapotranspiration.
Current (I) Current is the electrical flow when voltage is present across a
conductor, or the rate at which charge is flowing, expressed in
amperes [A].
Deep percolation Movement of water downward through the soil profile below the
root zone. This water is lost to the plants and eventually ends up
in the groundwater. [mm]
Drawdown Lowering of level of water in a well due to pumping.
Drip irrigation Water is applied to the soil surface at very low flow rates (drops
or small streams) through emitters. Also known as trickle or
micro-irrigation.
Emitter Small micro-irrigation dispensing device designed to dissipate
pressure and discharge a small uniform flow or trickle of water
at a constant discharge which does not vary significantly
because of minor differences in pressure head. Also called a
"dripper" or "trickler".
Evaporation Loss of water as vapor from the surface of the soil or wet
leaves. [mm]
Evapotranspiration (ET) Combined water lost from evaporation and transpiration. The
crop ET (ETc) can be estimated by calculating the reference ET
for a particular reference crop (ETo for clipped grass) from
weather data and multiplying this by a crop coefficient. The ETc,
or water lost, equals the CWR, or water needed by plant. [mm]
GIWR The Gross Irrigation Water Requirement (GIWR) is used to
express the quantity of water that is required in the irrigation
system. [mm]
Fertigation Application of fertilizers through the irrigation system. A form of
chemigation.

19
Financial viability The ability to generate sufficient income to meet operating
expenditure, financing needs and, ideally, to allow profit
generation. It is usually assessed using the Net Present Value
(NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) approaches together
with estimating the sensitivity of the cost and revenue elements
(See Module INVEST).
Friction loss The loss of pressure due to flow of water in pipe. It depends on
the pipe size (inside diameter), flow rate, and length of pipe. It is
determined by consulting a friction loss chart available in an
engineering reference book or from a pipe supplier. [m]
Global solar radiation (G) The energy carried by radiation on a surface over a certain
period of time. The global solar radiation is locations specific as
it is influenced by clouds, air humidity, climate, elevation and
latitude, etc. The global solar radiation on a horizontal surface is
measured by a network of meteorological stations all over the
world and is expressed in kilowatt hours per square meter
[kWh/m²].
Gravity flow The use of gravity to produce pressure and water flow, for
example when a storage tank is elevated above the point of
use, so that water will flow with no further pumping required.
Head Value of atmospheric pressure at a specific location and
condition. [m]:
Head, total (dynamic) Sum of static, pressure, friction and
velocity head that a pump works against while pumping at a
specific flow rate. [m];
Head loss Energy loss in fluid flow. [m]
Infiltration The act of water entering the soil profile.
Irradiation The integration or summation of insolation (equals solar
irradiance) over a time period expressed in Joules per square
meter (J/m2) or watt-hours per square meter [Wh/m2].
Irrigation Irrigation is the controlled application of water to respond to crop
needs.
Irrigation efficiency Proportion of the irrigation water that is beneficially used to the
irrigation water that is applied. [%]
Irrigation head Control unit to regulate water quantity, quality and pressure in
an irrigation system using different types of valves, pressure
regulators, filters and possibly a chemigation system.
Lateral Pipe(s) that go from the control valves to the sprinklers or drip
emitter tubes.
Latitude Latitude specifies the north–south position of a point on the
Earth's surface. It is an angle which ranges from 0° at the
Equator to 90° (North or South) at the poles. Lines of constant
latitude, or parallels, run east–west as circles parallel to the
equator. Latitude is used together with longitude to specify the
precise location of features on the surface of the Earth.

20
Leaching Moving soluble materials down through the soil profile with the
water.
Maximum Power Point An important feature in many control boxes to draw the right
Tracking (MPPT) amount of current in order to maintain a high voltage and
achieve maximum system efficiency.
Net Irrigation Water The sum of the individual crop water requirements (CWR) for
Requirements (NIWR) each plant for a given period of time. The NIWR determines how
much water should reach the crop to satisfy its demand for
water in the soil. [mm]
Power (P) Power is the rate at which energy is transferred by an electrical
circuit expressed in watts. Power depends on the amount of
current and voltage in the system. Power equals current
multiplied by voltage (P=I x V). [W]
Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other
organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy that can
later be released to fuel the organisms' activities (energy
transformation).
Pressure The measurement of force within a system. This is the force that
moves water through pipes, sprinklers and emitters. Static
pressure is measured when no water is flowing and dynamic
pressure is measured when water is flowing. Pressure and flow
are affected by each other. [bars, psi, kPa]
Priming The process of hand-filling the suction pipe and intake of a
surface pump. Priming is generally necessary when a pump
must be located above the water source.
Pump Converts mechanical energy into hydraulic energy (pressure
and/or flow).
Submersible pump: a motor/pump combination designed to be
placed entirely below the water surface.
Surface pump: pump that is not submersible and placed not
higher than about 7 meters above the surface of the water.
Root Zone The depth or volume of soil from which plants effectively extract
water from. [m]
Salinity (Saline) Salinity refers to the amount of salts dissolved in soil water.
Solar panel efficiency Solar panel efficiency is the ratio of light shining on the panel,
versus the amount of electricity produced. It is expressed as a
percentage. Most systems are around 16% efficient, meaning
16% of the light energy is converted into electricity.
Suction lift Vertical distance from the surface of the water to the pump. This
distance is limited by physics to around 7 meters and should be
minimized for best results. This applies only to surface pumps.
Surface irrigation Irrigation method where the soil surface is used to transport the
water via gravity flow from the source to the plants. Common
surface irrigation methods are:

21
 Furrow irrigation – water is applied to row crops in small ditches
or channels between the rows made by tillage implements;
Basin irrigation – water is applied to a completely level area
surrounded by dikes, and
Flood irrigation – water is applied to the soil surface without flow
controls, such as furrows or borders.
Transpiration Water taken up by the plant's roots and transpired out of the
leaves. [mm]
Voltage (U or V) Voltage is the electric potential between two points, or the
difference in charge between two points, expressed in Volts [V].

22