Oregon Tech Note 28 - Design of Solar Pumps

Technical Note No.
28
PORTLAND, OREGON
Natural
Resources
Conservation
Service
October 2010
Design of Small
Photovoltaic (PV)
Solar-Powered Water
Pump Systems
Design of Small Photovoltaic (PV) Solar-Powered Water Pump Systems
Issued October 2010

Cover photo courtesy of Nicholle Kovach, Basin Engineer, USDA NRCS.
Trade names mentioned are for specific information and do not constitute a
guarantee or warranty of the product by the Department of Agriculture or
an endorsement by the Department over other products not mentioned.
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To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil
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call (800) 7953272 (voice) or (202) 7206382 (TDD). USDA is an equal
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Technical Note No. 28, October 2010
ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This technical note was written by Teresa D. Morales, Oregon State

Design Engineer, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Portland, Oregon, and
John Busch, Oregon State Irrigation Engineer, USDA NRCS, Baker City,
Oregon.
Drawings by Kristi Yasumiishi, Civil Engineering Technician, USDA NRCS,
Portland, Oregon.
Reviewed by Dave Dishman, Oregon State Engineer, USDA NRCS,
Portland, Oregon; Stefanie Aschmann, Leader of Energy Technology
Development Team, NRCS West National Technology Support Center
(WNTSC), Portland, Oregon; Peter Robinson, Water Management
Engineer, NRCS WNTSC, Portland, Oregon; Clarence Prestwich,
Irrigation Engineer, NRCS WNTSC, Portland, Oregon; Kip Yasumiishi,
Civil Engineer, NRCS WNTSC, Portland, Oregon; Kelly Albers, Basin
Engineer, USDA NRCS, Tangent, Oregon; Ginny Cairo, Basin Engineer,
USDA NRCS, Roseburg, Oregon; Bill Cronin, Basin Engineer, USDA NRCS,
Medford, Oregon; Kevin Shaw, Basin Engineer, USDA NRCS, Baker City,
Oregon.
Edited by Erin McDuff, Administrative Assistant, USDA NRCS, Portland,
Oregon.
iii
PREFACE
The intent of this technical publication is to provide general guidance on

the design of small solar-powered water pump systems for use with
livestock operations or irrigation systems. This document provides a
review of the basic elements of electricity, a description of the different
components of solar-powered water pump systems, important planning
considerations, and general guidance on designing a solar-powered
water pump system. This publication also provides design examples for
typical design scenarios and standard drawings for use by the reader.
However, this technical note is not intended to be used as a standalone
document. Instead, users are encouraged to consult the NRCS National
Engineering Manual (NEH 210) on hydraulics and irrigation engineering
for additional assistance in the design of water delivery systems.
All sources used in the development of this technical note are provided
in the References section at the back of the document.
iv
CONTENTS
1.
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 1
1.0
1.1
2.
SEASONAL AND LATITUDE VARIATION .......................................................................................................................5

CLOUD COVER .....................................................................................................................................................5
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) PANELS ........................................................................................................................ 6

3.0
3.1
3.2
4.
ELECTRICITY BASICS ..............................................................................................................................................2

THE PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT ..................................................................................................................................2
SOLAR RADIATION, SOLAR IRRADIANCE, AND SOLAR INSOLATION .............................................................. 3

2.0
2.1
3.
PV PANEL ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS ..................................................................................................................6

PV PANEL ORIENTATION AND TRACKING ..................................................................................................................7
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ....................................................................................................................................8
STRUCTURE AND FOUNDATION CONSIDERATIONS ....................................................................................... 8

4.0
4.1
4.2
4.3
STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS FOR PV PANELS...................................................................................................................8

MOUNTING POSTS ...............................................................................................................................................8
EMBEDMENT CONSIDERATIONS FOR MOUNTING POSTS...............................................................................................9
CORROSION PROTECTION.......................................................................................................................................9
5.
ELECTRICAL CONTROLLERS ......................................................................................................................... 10
6.
SOLAR-POWERED PUMPS ........................................................................................................................... 11

6.0
6.1
7.
DESIGN PROCESS ........................................................................................................................................ 14

7.0
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
7.10
7.11
8.
PUMP SELECTION AND SYSTEM DESIGN ..................................................................................................................11

SOLAR-POWERED PUMP CHARACTERISTICS .............................................................................................................13
STEP 1 WATER REQUIREMENT ...........................................................................................................................14

STEP 2 WATER SOURCE ....................................................................................................................................14
STEP 3 SYSTEM LAYOUT ....................................................................................................................................15
STEP 4 WATER STORAGE ..................................................................................................................................17
STEP 5 SOLAR INSOLATION AND PV PANEL LOCATION.............................................................................................17
STEP 6 DESIGN FLOW RATE FOR THE PUMP ..........................................................................................................17
STEP 7 TOTAL DYNAMIC HEAD (TDH) FOR THE PUMP ............................................................................................18
STEP 8 PUMP SELECTION AND ASSOCIATED POWER REQUIREMENT ...........................................................................18
STEP 9 PV PANEL SELECTION AND ARRAY LAYOUT .................................................................................................18
STEP 10 PV ARRAY MOUNTING AND FOUNDATION REQUIREMENTS..........................................................................18
STEP 11 WATER FLOW RATES AND DELIVERY POINT PRESSURE ................................................................................19
STEP 12 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM..................................................................................................19
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS .................................................................................................................. 19
APPENDIXES
APPENDIX A:
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 20
APPENDIX B:
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES .......................................................................................................... 21
APPENDIX C:
DESIGN EXAMPLES ................................................................................................................... 22
DESIGN EXAMPLE 1:
DESIGN EXAMPLE 2:
SOLAR-POWERED WATER PUMP SYSTEM USING SURFACE WATER (A STREAM) AS A WATER SOURCE .....22
SOLAR-POWERED WATER PUMP SYSTEM USING SUBSURFACE WATER (A WELL) AS A WATER SOURCE ...28
APPENDIX D:
SOLAR INSOLATION VALUES FOR OREGON .............................................................................. 36
APPENDIX E:
NREL APPROACH TO DETERMINING SOLAR INSOLATION VALUES ............................................ 46
APPENDIX F:
STANDARD DRAWINGS............................................................................................................. 50
APPENDIX G:
FRICTION HEAD LOSS FOR SCHEDULE 40 PVC PLASTIC PIPE ...................................................... 56
APPENDIX H:
SAMPLE WELL LOG ................................................................................................................... 57
APPENDIX I:
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE FISH SCREENING CRITERIA .............................. 58
APPENDIX J:
SOLAR PANEL WIRING .............................................................................................................. 60
APPENDIX K:
GLOSSARY OF SOLAR-POWERED WATER PUMP TERMS ............................................................ 61
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1 A TYPICAL SOLAR-POWERED WATER PUMP SYSTEM, WHICH INCLUDES A SOLAR ARRAY, CONTROLLER, PUMP, AND STORAGE
TANK. (SOURCE: THE MONTANA AGSOLAR PROJECT EXPANDING THE AGRICULTURAL USES OF SOLAR ENERGY IN MONTANA.) 1
FIGURE 2 THE PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT AND SUBSEQUENT ELECTRON MOTION. (IMAGE INSPIRED BY .................................................3
FIGURE 3 SOLAR IRRADIANCE AND PEAK SUN HOURS. ..............................................................................................................4
FIGURE 4 EXAMPLE SUMMER AND WINTER SUN ELEVATION AND ANGLE. (SOURCE: RENEWABLE ENERGY PRIMER-SOLAR.) ...............5
FIGURE 5 SOLAR CELL, PV SOLAR PANEL, AND PV PANEL ARRAY. (SOURCE: GUIDE TO SOLAR POWERED WATER ...............................6
FIGURE 6 SOLAR PANEL TILT ANGLES: WINTER TILT WITH MORE ANGLE FROM HORIZONTAL [LEFT] AND SUMMER TILT WITH LESS.............8
FIGURE 7 PV SOLAR ARRAY WITH STORAGE TANK AND STOCK. .................................................................................................11
FIGURE 8 TYPICAL SURFACE INSTALLATION WITH PERTINENT PARAMETERS. ................................................................................12
FIGURE 9 TYPICAL WELL INSTALLATION WITH PERTINENT PARAMETERS......................................................................................12
FIGURE 10 EXAMPLE SOLAR-POWERED PUMP PERFORMANCE CURVES FOR A POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMP....................................13
FIGURE 11 EXAMPLE SOLAR-POWERED PUMP PERFORMANCE CURVES FOR A CENTRIFUGAL PUMP. .................................................13
FIGURE 12 A PLAN OF AN EXAMPLE WATERING SYSTEM WITH A STORAGE TANK AND PV ARRAY. ....................................................16
FIGURE 13 ELEMENTS OF A TYPICAL INSTALLATION SUPPLIED BY A SURFACE WATER SOURCE. .........................................................16
vi
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 1 ELECTRICITY FOR NON-ELECTRICAL .........................................................................................................................2

TABLE 2 SOLAR RADIATION FOR FLAT-PLATE COLLECTORS FACING SOUTH AT A FIXED TILT OF 43 FOR NORTH BEND, OR ................4
TABLE 3 EXAMPLE PV SOLAR PANEL ELECTRICAL ..................................................................................................................6
TABLE 4 TYPICAL WATER USE REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................................14
LIST OF EQUATIONS
EQUATION 1......................................................................................................................................................................2
EQUATION 2......................................................................................................................................................................2
EQUATION 3....................................................................................................................................................................18
vii
1. INTRODUCTION
Photovoltaic (PV) panels are often used for

agricultural operations, especially in remote
areas or where the use of an alternative energy
source is desired. In particular, they have been
demonstrated time and time again to reliably
produce sufficient electricity directly from solar
radiation (sunlight) to power livestock and
irrigation watering systems.
A benefit of using solar energy to power
agricultural water pump systems is that
increased water requirements for livestock and
irrigation tend to coincide with the seasonal
increase of incoming solar energy. When
properly designed, these PV systems can also
result in significant long-term cost savings and a
smaller environmental footprint compared to
conventional power systems.
The volume of water pumped by a solarpowered system in a given interval depends on
the total amount of solar energy available in
that time period. Specifically, the flow rate of
the water pumped is determined by both the
intensity of the solar energy available and the
size of the PV array used to convert that solar
energy into direct current (DC) electricity.
Figure 1 A typical solar-powered water pump system,

which includes a solar array, controller, pump,
and storage tank. (Source: The Montana
Agsolar Project Expanding the Agricultural
Uses of Solar Energy in Montana.)
The principle components in a solar-powered

water pump system (shown in Figure 1, right)
include:
The PV array and its support structure,

An electrical controller, and
An electric-powered pump.
It is important that the components be

designed as part of an integrated system to
ensure that all the equipment is compatible and
that the system operates as intended. It is
therefore recommended that all components
be obtained from a single supplier to ensure
their compatibility.
The following information is required to design
a PV-powered pump:
The site-specific solar energy available

(referred to as solar insolation).
The volume of water required in a given
period of time for livestock or irrigation
purposes, as well as for storage. (A
storage volume equal to a three-day
water requirement is normally
recommended for livestock operations as
a backup for the systems safety features
and cloudy days.)
The total dynamic head (TDH) for the
pump.
The quantity and quality of available
water.
The systems proposed layout and
hydraulic criteria.
The following sections will first provide an

introduction to the basic concepts involved in
solar-powered pump systems, then descriptions
of and design considerations for the previously
mentioned, individual system components.
(See Appendix K: Glossary of Solar-Powered
Water Pump Terms for definitions of the
technical terms and abbreviations used.)
Page 1
1.0 Electricity Basics
Amperage refers to the movement or flow of

electrons (i.e. the electrical current) through
the system. It is measured in units of Amps (A).
Table 1 Electricity for Non-Electrical

Engineers
Electricity in a Wire
Water in a Pipe
Amp
Q
(flow of electrons)
(flow rate of water)
Volts
Pressure
(energy potential)
(energy potential)
Watts (power)
Hydraulic/Water Power
= Amps x Volts
= Q x Pressure
Resistance
Friction + Minor Losses
High Voltage, Small
High Pressure, Small
Wire = High Amps, High Pipe = High Velocity,
Resistive losses, Heat
High Friction Losses,
and Fires
Blown Pipe
Voltage multiplied by amperage is the power

produced. It is measured in units of watts (Pw),
as shown in Equation 1:
loss is also influenced by the wire material: a

good conductor, such as copper, has a low
resistance and will result in less energy loss.
It is important to be familiar with fundamental

electrical concepts, such as energy, voltage,
amperage, and resistance, before you begin to
design a solar-powered water pump system.
Voltage is the electrical potential (i.e. the
pressure) in the solar-powered system. It is
measured in units of Volts (V).
Watts = Volts x Amps

Equation 1
Electrical energy is the amount of power

generated over a period of time. Energy is
typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Lastly, resistance is a measure of a materials
resistance to the flow of electrons across it. It is
measured in Ohms ().
A good analogy to help describe the flow of
electrons in a wire is the flow of water through
a pressurized line. In order to illustrate this
analogy, Table 1 (right) compares the flow of
electricity through a circuit with the flow of
water through a pipe.
As with water flowing through a pipe, resistance
(friction, in the case of water) in the electrical
line results in an energy loss in the system. It is
influenced by the length, size, and type of wire
conductor. Specifically, resistance is
proportional to the length of the wire and
inversely proportional to the cross-sectional
area of the wire. In other words, the longer the
wire, the greater the loss and the larger the
wire diameter, the less the loss. The energy
Another effective way to reduce electrical

losses in a system is to decrease the current
flow. Power losses in an electrical circuit are
proportional to the square of the current, as
shown in Equation 2:
Power Loss = Current2 x Resistance
Equation 2
Consequently, as indicated in Equations 1 and 2,

increasing the voltage while reducing the
current will result in the same power
transmission, but with less power loss.
Therefore, higher voltage pumps tend to be
more efficient than lower voltage pumps,
assuming all other properties are similar.
1.1 The Photoelectric Effect
PV systems harness the suns energy by
converting it into electricity via the
photoelectric effect. This occurs when
incoming photons interact with a conductive
surface, such as a silicon cell or metal film, and
electrons in the material become excited and
jump from one conductive layer to the other, as
shown in Figure 2, on the following page.
Page 2
Figure 2 The photoelectric effect and subsequent electron motion. (Image inspired by
Merriam-Webster, 2006.)
In this figure, the excitation of electrons and

their movement from the p-layer to the n-layer
results in a voltage differential across the
electrical circuit, causing electrons to flow
through the rest of the circuit to maintain a
charge balance. The system is designed so that
there is an electrical load in the external circuit,
permitting the current flow to perform a useful
function. In other words, the behavior of
electrons in the solar cell creates a voltage that
can be utilized to, for example, operate a water
pump system.
2. SOLAR RADIATION, SOLAR

IRRADIANCE, AND SOLAR INSOLATION
To design a solar-powered water pump system,
you will need to quantify the available solar
energy. It is therefore important for you to be
familiar with the definitions and distinctions
between the three related terms solar
radiation, solar irradiance, and solar

insolation.
Solar radiation is the energy from the sun that
reaches the earth. It is commonly expressed in
units of kilowatts per square meter (kW/m2).
The earth receives a nearly constant 1.36
kW/m2 of solar radiation at its outer
atmosphere. However, by the time this energy
reaches the earths surface, the total amount of
solar radiation is reduced to approximately 1
kW/m2.
The intensity of sunshine (i.e. solar radiation)
varies based on geographic location. A good
analogy to describe this variation is the
different conditions that can be found on the
north slope of a mountain versus its south
slope.
The intensity of sunlight also varies based on
the time of day because the suns energy must
Page 3
pass through different amounts of the earth's

atmosphere as the incident angle of the sun
changes. Solar intensity is greatest when the
sun is straight overhead (also known as solar
noon) and light is passing through the least
amount of atmosphere. Conversely, solar
intensity is least during the early morning and
late afternoon hours when the sunlight passes
through the greatest amount of atmosphere. In
most areas, the most productive hours of
sunlight (when solar radiation levels approach 1
kW/m2) are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Outside of this time range, solar power might
still be produced, but at much lower levels.
Solar irradiance, on the other hand, is the

amount of solar energy received by or projected
onto a specific surface. Solar irradiance is also
expressed in units of kW/m2 and is measured at
the surface of the material. In the case of a PVpowered system, this surface is the solar panel.
Figure 3 Solar irradiance and peak sun hours.

(Source: Renewable Energy Primer-Solar.)
hours. Occasionally, the term solar radiation

can also be used to describe equivalent full sun
hours (in addition to the definition above), as in
Appendix D.
Figure 3, right, demonstrates how peak sun

hours are determined for any particular day.
The entire amount of solar irradiance (indicated
by the blue arc) is divided by 1 kW/m2, which
equals the total number of peak sun hours for
that day (indicated by the white rectangle).
Two important considerations when

determining solar insolation values are the
latitude of the project site and the proposed tilt
angle of the PV array. (The tilt angle, which is
discussed in Section 3.1, is the angle of the
panel relative to horizontal where 0 is
horizontal and 90 is vertical. Latitude is
discussed in Section 2.0). An example of
monthly solar insolation values for North Bend,
Oregon (latitude 43 degrees) for a fixed tilt
angle is shown in Table 2, below. Additional
solar insolation (solar radiation) values are
provided in Appendix D for nine locations in
Oregon. (Data for Boise, Idaho, are also
included in Appendix D due to its proximity to
eastern Oregon.)
Another term that is synonymous with peak sun

hours (solar insolation) is equivalent full sun
An approach for determining solar insolation

values for locations not listed in these solar
Finally, solar insolation is the amount of solar

irradiance measured over a given period of
time. It is typically quantified in peak sun hours,
which are the equivalent number of hours per
day when solar irradiance averages 1 kW/m2. It
is important to note that although the sun may
be above the horizon for 14 hours in a given
day, it may only generate energy equivalent to
6 peak sun hours.
Table 2 Solar Radiation for Flat-Plate Collectors Facing South at a Fixed Tilt of 43 for North Bend, OR
(kWh/m2/day), Uncertainty +/-9%
North Bend, OR
Latitude - 15 =
43 15 = 28
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
2.4
3.0
4.1
5.1
6.8
6.1
6.5
6.5
6.0
5.4
4.0
2.6
4.4
Page 4
tables has been developed by researchers at

the U.S. Department of Energys National
Renewable Energy Lab (DOE-NREL). NREL has
developed two software packages (PVWATTS v.
1 and PVWATTS v. 2) that can determine solar
insolation values, as well as cost estimates for
different types of solar-powered systems. A
simple introduction to how to use PVWATTS v.2
(Beta) FlexViewer is provided in Appendix E.
2.0 Seasonal and Latitude Variation
In addition to the variation of sunlight intensity
on any given day, the seasonal variation of
intensity must also be considered when
planning for a solar-powered system. In the
northern hemisphere, the least amount of
sunlight occurs in the winter because the days
are shorter and the sun is lower in the sky, as
shown in Figure 4, below. In Oregon
specifically, there is also typically increased
cloud cover in many regions during the winter
months (which is discussed further in the
following section). Therefore, sunlight intensity
is least during December and greatest during
mid-summer in the June July period.
Adjusting the tilt angle of the PV array to

account for seasonal variations in the suns
elevation can result in increased electrical
power output from the array. Additional
information on adjusting for tilt angle is
provided in Section 3.1.
2.1 Cloud Cover
Clouds, fog, and overcast skies are common

weather events that occur throughout the year
across Oregon, but particularly in the western
part of the state during the winter months.
Their effects are reflected in the solar insolation
data shown in Appendix D. The tables include
maximum, minimum, and average values with a
9 percent uncertainty. Reduction or
adjustment of the solar insolation values
(equivalent full sun hours) is not needed as the
effects of cloud cover are already accounted
for. Instead, it is recommended that the
designer use the average values included in
these tables unless local conditions (such as for
sites located under heavy vegetation or in
unusual geological features) warrant otherwise.
Figure 4 Example summer and winter sun elevation and angle. (Source: Renewable Energy Primer-Solar.)
Page 5
3. PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) PANELS
3.0 PV Panel Electrical Characteristics
PV panels are made up of a series of solar cells,

as shown in Figure 5, below. Each solar cell has
two or more specially prepared layers of
semiconductor material that produce DC
electricity when exposed to sunlight. A single,
typical solar cell can generate approximately 3
watts of energy in full sunlight.
PV panels are rated according to their output,

which is based on an incoming solar irradiance
of 1 kW/m2 at a specified temperature. Panel
output data include peak power (Watts [Pw]),
voltage (Volts [V]), and current (Amps [A]).
Under conditions of reduced solar radiation, the
current produced is decreased accordingly, but
the voltage is reduced only slightly. Example
electrical characteristics for a solar panel are
shown in Table 3.
The semiconductor layers can be either

crystalline or thin film. Crystalline solar cells are
generally constructed out of silicon and have an
efficiency of approximately 15%. Solar cells that
are constructed out of thin films, which can
consist of a variety of different metals, have
efficiencies of approximately 8% to 11%. They
are not as durable as silicon solar cells, but they
are lighter and considerably less expensive.
PV panels may be arranged in arrays and
connected by electrical wiring to deliver power
to a pump (see Section 3.0 for more details).
PV panels must meet all NRCS required
specifications, both for power production and
structural integrity (including resistance to hail),
as described in the following sections.
PV Solar Cell
PV Solar Panel
Table 3 Example PV Solar Panel Electrical

Characteristics
Characteristic
Value
Units
Peak Power
Power Tolerance
Max Power Voltage
Max Power Current
Open Circuit Voltage
Short Circuit Current
117
5
35.5
3.3
40.0
3.5
Watt [Pw]
%
Volts [V]
Amps [A]
Volts [V]
Amps [A]
Multiple panel arrays should be wired in a

series and/or parallel so that the resulting
voltage and current are compatible with the
controller and pump motor requirements.
Array of PV Solar Panels
Figure 5 Solar cell, PV solar panel, and PV panel array. (Source: Guide to Solar Powered Water
Pumping Systems in New York State.)
Page 6
When multiple panels are wired in a series, the

total output voltage is the sum of the individual
panel output voltages; the total current stays
the same. Conversely, when panels are wired in
parallel, the voltage stays the same while the
resultant total current is the sum of the
individual panel current inputs. The total power
output from a PV panel array is determined by
multiplying the total output voltage by the total
output current. (Basic PV panel wiring diagrams
are shown in Appendix J.)
The power output from a PV panel can vary
slightly from the panels rated power, as noted
by the Power Tolerance value in Table 3.
Power output will also decline at about one
percent per year due to environmental wear on
the system. Oregon Construction Specification
68: Photovoltaic (PV) Power Supply for Pump
specifies that the panel output shall be
warranted against a degradation of power
output in excess of 10 percent in a 10-year
period following installation.
3.1
PV Panel Orientation and Tracking
To be most effective, PV panels need to

continuously and directly face incoming
sunlight, which requires the use of one or two
tracking mechanisms. A single-axis tracking
mechanism will rotate a PV panel about its
vertical axis to follow the sun throughout the
day. A double-axis mechanism will also control
the panel tilt angle (the angle of the panel
relative to horizontal where 0 is horizontal and
90 is vertical) to adjust for the elevation of the
sun in the sky throughout the year.
Single-axis tracking can be very effective for
increasing energy production throughout the
year, by up to 50% during some months.
Passive single trackers, which require no energy
input, can be used. They use the heat from the
sun to cause freon or a substitute refrigerant to
move between cylinders in the tracker
assembly, which causes the panels to shift so
that they maintain a constant 90-degree angle
to the sun throughout the day. Single-axis
trackers tend to be more appropriate for sites

between +/- 30 degrees latitude. Also, their
benefits at higher altitudes tend to be less
during the winter months when the sun is low
on the horizon.
In general, though, due to the complexity of

tracking mechanisms and their associated
controls, most installations for water pumps are
stationary and oriented due south to take
advantage of the maximum sunlight available in
the middle of the day.
The default tilt angle for a PV panel is equal to
the latitude of the location. For a fixed array,
this default angle will maximize annual energy
production.
A tilt angle of +/- 15 degrees from latitude will
increase energy production for the winter or
summer months, respectively. Most solar
panels that are used for water pumping are set
to collect the maximum amount of energy in
the summer, when water demands are
greatest. However, to maximize energy for
both summer and winter pumping, it is
recommended that the tilt angle be adjusted at
the spring and autumn equinoxes (March 21st
and September 21st). In other words, the panel
array tilt angle should be adjusted as follows:
Summer tilt angle = latitude 15

(when the sun is higher in the sky).
Winter tilt angle = latitude + 15
(when the sun is lower in the sky).
For example, latitudes in Oregon range from 42

to 46 north, so summer tilt angles are expected
to range from 27 to 31 while winter tilt angles
should range from 57 to 61. (The PV arrays in
Figure 6, on the following page, show the
different tilt angles for both summer and
winter.)
Note that if the arrays tilt angle is adjusted
seasonally, the sites solar insolation data that is
used in the design of the solar-powered water
pump system should reflect this.
Page 7
Figure 6 Solar panel tilt angles: winter tilt with more angle from horizontal [left] and summer tilt with less
angle from horizontal [right]. (Source: Renewable Energy Primer-Solar.)
3.2
Environmental Factors
PV panels and all associated components (the

mounting structure, power controller, and
electrical connections) are subject to a host of
environmental stresses, such as high
temperatures; dust; significant wind, snow, ice,
or hail loading; etc. To withstand such stresses,
NRCS requires all components associated with
powering a water pump to meet or exceed all
current industry standards as specified in
Oregon Construction Specification 68.
4. STRUCTURE AND FOUNDATION

CONSIDERATIONS
4.0
Structural Supports for PV Panels
The structural supports used to attach the PV

panels to their mounting posts are typically
provided by the solar panel manufacturer. The
supports must be installed per the
manufacturers specifications to avoid any
unintended stresses or eccentric loading to the
panels, structural supports, and/or mounting
posts. These unintended stresses and/or
eccentricities can overstress the connection of
the panel to the post, even under normal
loading, and damage the system.
Any structural support used to mount the PV
panels to the post that has not been provided
by a certified solar panel manufacturer needs to
meet all expected load cases as defined in the

Oregon Construction Specification 68.
4.1
Mounting Posts
A solar panel array mounted to a post behaves

essentially in the same way as a sign or
billboard and is therefore subject to the same
types of ice and wind loading. A properly
mounted solar panel array will result in a
downward (axial) and lateral point load at the
top of the mounting post while minimizing any
eccentric loading. Correctly analyzing these
loads is essential for determining the correct
foundation design and mounting post size.
NRCS has developed three sets of standard
drawings for solar-powered water pump
systems. Copies of these drawings are located
in Appendix F. The first sheet of each set of
drawings provides a mounting post selection
table. This table provides minimum pipe sizes,
embedment depths, and concrete volumes
based on the post height and panel array size
for a proposed system. The values listed in
these tables are based on a wind speed of 95
mph, a 1-inch ice load, and a panel self-weight
of 40 lb per panel. Soil properties for the
foundation design were presumed to have an
allowable bearing pressure of 1,500 psf and a
lateral pressure per unit depth of 100 psf/ft .
The use of this table for site conditions that
exceed these design parameters is NOT
Page 8
acceptable. For a site whose conditions do

exceed these design parameters, the required
mounting post size and embedment depth will
need to be determined by a qualified engineer.
Care should be taken before mounting a solar

panel array to an existing structure, such as a
barn or shed. The self-weight of the panels can
be significant, particularly with larger arrays.
Furthermore, the addition of a solar panel array
to a roof can change wind loading patterns on
that roof. An older structure or a structure not
designed to carry these larger loads could
potentially be overwhelmed by the addition of a
solar panel array and fail.
Any questions regarding the suitability of an
existing structure for use in mounting a solar
panel array should be directed to a qualified
engineer.
4.2 Embedment Considerations for Mounting
Posts
An inadequate embedment depth for the
mounting post can cause the panels to tilt or tip
over during normal wind and/or ice loading and
can lead to significant damage to the PV
system. Tilting of the panels will also occur
when loading on the panels results in localized
failure of the soil column immediately around
the post, which will then be able to move freely
in the ground. Additional loading may lead to
progressive failure of the foundation and/or
reduced energy production as the panels will no
longer be positioned to receive maximum solar
insolation.
To reduce the potential for the panels to tip or
tilt, the foundation must be designed to carry
the expected wind and ice loads, as determined
using the American Society of Civil Engineers
(ASCE) 07 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings
and Other Structures.
The standard solar-powered water pump
system drawings provided in Appendix F call for
all post holes to be backfilled with concrete. In
order to ensure adequate foundation strength,

the concrete should be properly batched above
ground prior to placement in the post hole. It is
NOT acceptable to place dry ready mix concrete
in the post hole and then backfill the hole with
water. This method provides no way to ensure
that the concrete has been adequately mixed
and the required concrete strength achieved.
Instead, the foundation is more likely to fail
over time, resulting in a tilting panel and a
potential reduction in power generation.
4.3
Corrosion Protection
Corrosion is a potentially serious issue that can

be easily avoided by taking a few simple,
protective steps.
For corrosion to occur, the following four
elements need to be present:
1) Anode a corroding metal surface
2) Cathode a non-corroding metal surface
3) Electrolyte (solution) a pathway for
ionic energy transfer
4) Metal Conductor a pathway for energy
transfer
When dissimilar metals (the anode and the
cathode) come into contact under wet
conditions (the electrolyte), a galvanic potential
is created between the anode and the cathode,
leading to the subsequent corrosion of the
anode. For example, the use of plain carbon
steel bolts, nuts, and washers to attach an
aluminum mounting structure to the mounting
post will begin to corrode the aluminum when
the contact area between the bolts, nuts, and
washers and the aluminum mounting structure
is wet. The aluminum will act as the sacrificial
material (anode) since it has a lower galvanic
potential than the plain carbon steel.
However, if one of these issues is eliminated,
the corrosion will cease. For example, the
moisture may be removed or the contact
between the mounting panel and bolts, nuts,
and washers may be lost. The latter will most
Page 9
likely occur when the corrosion becomes severe

enough to cause the bolted connection to fail.
This can result in significant and costly damage
to the panel array. In terms of the former
solution, since PV-powered systems are
continually exposed to the elements, the
presence of moisture around the mounting
structure connection is simply unavoidable.
Selecting hardware that is made of a similar
material (i.e. that has a similar galvanic
potential) is therefore the best and cheapest
defense against corrosion. Overlooking this
seemingly minor and inexpensive detail can
result in costly damage to the array.
Any questions regarding the appropriate type of

fasteners to use should be directed to the
manufacturer, installer, and/or a qualified
engineer.
5. ELECTRICAL CONTROLLERS
Electrical controllers and safety devices are
incorporated into PV-powered water pump
systems to control the electric power input to
the pump and to provide necessary electrical
protection and switching.
The controller normally includes a main switch
to provide an electrical disconnect of the PV
array from all other system components. Since
the amount of power produced by the array
depends on the intensity of incoming solar
radiation, the controller can cause the pump to
be switched off until sufficient power is
available to meet the pumps specified
minimum operating power input range.
Likewise, when the PV panels produce too
much power, the controller can limit the power
output to the pump to prevent it from running
faster than its maximum rated speed. The
performance of the electrical controller will
vary depending on the type of controller
selected. However, an important safety device
that should be included in most systems is a
switch for low water dry run protection.
The pumps operation can also be controlled by

the use of a float switch in the storage tank,
which responds automatically when a preset
water level is reached in the tank. Alternatively,
the pumps operation can be controlled by a
pressure switch, which responds when a
designated water pressure is attained in the
system.
A PV system may incorporate storage batteries
that can be charged when incoming solar
energy exceeds the pumping power
requirement. The batteries can then be used to
power the pump when the pumping
requirement exceeds the solar power input.
The battery charge and discharge will be
regulated by the control unit. The use of
batteries, however, does require a more
complex control system and can significantly
increase the cost and maintenance of the PVpowered system. Remember, the first goal of a
solar-powered water pump system is to store
water, not electricity. The use of batteries
should therefore be discouraged unless
absolutely necessary since the added expense
and complexity usually outweighs any
advantages.
A more effective and less expensive means of

utilizing excess incoming solar energy would be
to incorporate a water storage tank into the
system (see Figure 7, on the following page). A
storage tank can help meet the operations
water needs when the demand exceeds the
pump output or during non-peak solar
insolation hours when only minimal solar
energy is generated.
For the safety of the equipment and everyone
who may come into contact with the pump
system, it is important to properly ground all
electrical components and solar panel
structures to reduce the possibility of damage
from lightning strikes.
Page 10

given pump can be found in the pump
manufacturers specifications.
Figure 7 PV solar array with storage tank and stock.

(Source: Renewable Energy Primer-Solar.)
6. SOLAR-POWERED PUMPS
Pumps that use PV systems are normally
powered by DC motors. These motors use the
DC output from the PV panels directly.
Alternating current (AC) motors are sometimes
used, but they require more complex control
systems. They also result in less total energy
availability due to the electrical losses caused
when an inverter is used to convert the DC to
AC electricity. Because DC motors do not
require an inverter, utilize a less complex
control system, and result in more total energy
availability, they are most commonly paired
with solar-powered pumps.
The type of pump configuration and mounting
can be either submersible, surface mount, or
floating, depending on the water source.
Solar-powered pumps are characterized as
either positive displacement pumps (e.g.,
diaphragm, piston, or helical rotor) or
centrifugal pumps. Positive displacement
pumps are typically used when the TDH is high
and the flow rate (measured in gpm) required is
low. Conversely, centrifugal pumps are
typically used for low TDH and high flow rates.
The TDH and flow rate characteristics for a
Another important consideration when

selecting the appropriate pump is the pumps
minimum voltage. Pump manufacturers may
provide pumps with similar operating
characteristics but different voltages. As noted
in Section 1.2, a higher operating voltage tends
to be more efficient since there is less energy
loss from the reduced current required to
deliver the same power (wattage). This is
important when considering the placement of
the panels and controller relative to the
location of the pump. A general rule of thumb
is that if the array consists of four or more
panels and is located more than 50 feet away
from the pump, the use of a higher voltage
pump should be considered.
6.0 Pump Selection and System Design
Factors affecting the selection of a solarpowered pump include the following:
TDH (in feet).

The water source (surface vs. well).
The available electrical power (peak
power) and energy (total energy, i.e.
power x time) produced by the PV
panel array.
The water requirement (flow rate
and/or total volume in a given time
period, including the storage
requirement).
The water quality (including the amount of

sediment, organic content, sand, and total
dissolved solids [TDS]) may also be a required
consideration for selecting a pump, as per the
manufacturers specifications.
The pertinent parameters needed for the pump
system design for typical surface and well
installations are shown in Figures 8 and 9,
respectively, on the following page.
Page 11
Figure 8 Typical surface installation with pertinent parameters.
Figure 9 Typical well installation with pertinent parameters.
Page 12
6.1 Solar-Powered Pump Characteristics
A water pump can be selected using pump

performance curves that show the operating
characteristics for the solar-powered pump,
such as those in Figures 10 and 11, below. The
curves in Figure 10 are for positive
displacement pumps, and those in Figure 11 are
for centrifugal pumps. An explanation of how
to use pump curves is provided in the design

examples located in Appendix C.
Alternatively, some suppliers have computer

programs and web-based utilities for selecting
and sizing pumps for specified values of
available solar radiation, pump flow rate, and
pumping head.
Figure 10 Example solar-powered pump performance curves for a positive displacement pump.
Figure 11 Example solar-powered pump performance curves for a centrifugal pump.
Page 13
7. DESIGN PROCESS
The following twelve steps can be used in the

design process for a PV-powered water pump
system. These steps will help you ensure that
the system functions properly and that water is
supplied for the operation in the amounts and
at the locations required.
7.0
Step 1 Water Requirement
The first step in designing a solar-powered

water pump system is to determine the overall
water requirement for the operation. This can
be done in part by using the average water
requirement values for various crops and
livestock that are listed in Table 4, below.
Table 4 Typical Water Use Requirements
Approximate Water
Usage (gal/day) 1
Animal or Crop
Western
Eastern
Oregon
Oregon
Milking Cow
20-25
20-25
Dry Cow
10-15
15-20
Calf
6-10
10-15
Cow-Calf Pair
15-20
20-25
Beef Cattle
8-12
20-25
Sheep or Goat
3-5
5-8
Horse
12
20-25
Swine, Finishing
3-5
3-5
Swine, Nursery
1
1
Swine, Sow and Litter
8
8
Swine, Gestating Sow
6
6
Elk
4
7
Deer
2-3
3
100 Chickens
9
9
100 Turkeys
15
15
Irrigated Crops
Use local crop
consumptive use
data.
Young Trees (in dry
15
15
weather)
General values adapted from Midwest Plan
Service Structures and Environment Handbook,
adjusted upward for drier eastern Oregon climate.
1
Local conditions should be taken into

consideration. Also note that the operations
water requirement will vary throughout the
year. (Examples of how to calculate the water
requirement for a solar-powered water pump
system are given in Design Examples 1 and 2 in
Appendix C.)
7.1
Step 2 Water Source
The configuration of the water system will be

defined primarily by the type of water source
used, as well as by the local topography and the
location(s) of the delivery point(s). The water
source may be either subsurface (a well) or
surface (a pond, stream, or spring).
If the water source is a well, the following items
will need to be determined:
The static water level,

The pumping rate and associated
drawdown (along with any seasonal
variation), and
The water quality.
Information on water levels and well

production can be obtained from the well
log. (A sample well log is provided in
Appendix H and is used in Design Example 2
in Appendix C.)
The drawdown value obtained from the well
log should be used to determine the
production potential of the well to ensure
that the well will be able to supply the
operations estimated water needs. If the
well log indicates an excessive drawdown
during the given testing time, the well may
not have the capacity to meet the water
demands of the project. If the capacity of the
well is in question, a complete well test
should be performed and the drawdown
levels measured for different flow rates.
In addition, the drawdown level should be
used when determining the pumping lift and
TDH during pumping.
Page 14
If a new well is to be drilled for the project,

information from well logs of existing, nearby
wells can provide valuable information about
the subsurface hydrology in the area and the
potential yield of the proposed well. Records of
well logs are available online from the Oregon
Water Resources Department (WRD).
The expected pumping levels should be
determined in areas where water table
fluctuations occur throughout the year. In
such areas, a well may even run dry at certain
times of the year. An alternate water source
should be located if there is a potential for an
existing well to run dry during critical
watering times.
For most wells, water quality is not an issue if

the water is not used for human consumption.
However, it is a good practice to obtain a water
quality test if there is a potential for fecal
coliform contamination, high nitrates or salinity,
organic contaminants, and/or the presence of
heavy metals, which may be the case for wells
located in unique geological features, such as
volcanic terrain.
Questions or comments regarding well drilling
and/or water quality testing should be directed
to the NRCS State Geologist.
For surface water sources, such as a stream,
pond, or spring, the following need to be
determined, taking seasonal variations into
account:
The water availability,

The pumping levels, and
The water quality, including the presence
of silt and organic debris.
With a surface source, the water availability and

water level can vary seasonally. In particular,
the amount and quality of the water may be
low during the summer, when it is needed
most.
Additionally, when a surface water source is

used, proper screening of the pump intake is
necessary to ensure that debris and sediment
from the surface water body are not pumped
into the system. If the water source contains
anadromous salmonid species of fish, proper
screening of the pump intake is required to
meet Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(ODFW) fish screen criteria. (A copy of the
general criteria is located in Appendix I.
Contact the ODFW representative for your area
for local screening requirements.)
7.2
Step 3 System Layout
The third step in the system development

process is to determine the layout of the entire
system, including the locations and elevations
of the following components:
Water source
Pump
PV panels
Storage tanks
Points of use (i.e. water troughs)
Pipeline routes
An example of a proposed system layout is

provided in Figures 12 and 13, below.
It is also important to consider potential
vandalism and theft when locating PV panels
and pump systems. Unfortunately, since most
solar panel systems are located in remote areas
on open landscapes, the risk of vandalism
and/or theft can be significant. If possible,
panels, tanks, and controllers should be located
away from roads and public access, as well as
where features in the landscape (rolling hills,
escarpments, wind blocks, etc.) can provide a
maximum of shielding from public view. The
use of trees, bushes, or other types of
vegetation for shielding is acceptable.
However, care should be taken to situate the
panels far enough to the south and west of tall
trees and other types of vegetation to reduce
the potential for their obstruction by shadows
during peak solar insolation hours.
Page 15
Figure 12 A plan of an example watering system with a storage tank and PV array.
Figure
13 Elements of a typical installation supplied by a surface water source.
.
Page 16
In addition, secure fencing is essential to

protect a PV-powered system. Secure fencing
provides added protection against vandalism
and theft, as well as against inadvertent
damage from wandering wildlife or livestock.
7.3
Step 4 Water Storage
A water storage tank is normally an essential

element in an economically viable solarpowered water pump system. A tank can be
used to store enough water during peak energy
production to meet water needs in the event of
cloudy weather or maintenance issues with the
power system. Ideally, the tank should be sized
to store at least a three-day water supply.
Multiple tanks may be required if a very large
volume of water is to be stored.
The area where the tank is to be placed must be
stripped of all organic material, debris, roots,
and sharp objects, such as rocks. The ground
should then be leveled. Six inches of wellcompacted -inch leveling rock underlain by a
geotextile fabric should be provided as a base
for the water tank. If an elevated platform or
stand is required to provide adequate gravityinduced pressure for the water delivery system
to operate, the platform or stand will need to
be evaluated by a qualified engineer.
An above-ground tank should be constructed
out of structurally sound, UV-resistant material
to maximize its lifespan. If it will be used in
areas where freezing temperatures are
encountered, care should be taken to frostproof the entire water delivery system. Tanks
and pipes should be drained prior to the first
freeze, and pipes should be buried below the
frost line for added protection.
A buried tank is naturally shielded from UV
light, and it provides protection from frost and
vandalism. When using a buried tank, however,
adequate drainage must be provided around
the tank. In addition, its design must be
analyzed for floatation to ensure that the tank
will not become buoyant.
7.4
Step 5 Solar Insolation and PV Panel

Location
Appropriate data should be used to determine

the amount of solar insolation (peak sun hours)
available at the site. Appropriate data on solar
insolation values for different locations in
Oregon may be obtained from the tables in
Appendix D or from a solar insolation program,
such as the PVWATTS Beta Viewer that was
developed by the NREL. (A brief introduction to
the PVWATTS Beta Viewer is provided in
Appendix E.)
An on-site investigation is recommended for
sites where solar insolation data are lacking or
questionable. The investigation should be
conducted by a qualified specialist and include
data verifying the actual solar insolation at the
site.
In order to maximize the solar-powered
systems energy production, the panels should
be south facing with no significant shading in
their vicinity in order to achieve full sun
exposure. However, partial shading (e.g.,
shadows from tall trees) in the distance during
the early morning or late afternoon may be
unavoidable. The effects of any shading
present should be considered when
determining the amount of available solar
energy. Also consider the potential effects that
the slope and aspect of future shading due to
continued tree growth may have.
The solar array should be placed as close to the
pump as possible to minimize the electric wire
length (and thus any energy loss), as well as
installation costs.
7.5
Step 6 Design Flow Rate for the Pump
The design flow rate for the pump is calculated

by dividing the daily water needs of the
operation by the number of peak sun hours per
day (determined in Step 5). For example, for a
daily water requirement of 1,310 gallons/day
Page 17
and a solar insolation value of 7.2 kWh/m2/day,

or 7.2 hr/day:
Flow = 1,310 gal/day
7.2 hr/day
Sources for additional information regarding

solar products can be found in Appendix B:
Additional Resources.
= 181 gal/hr
~ = 3 gal/min
Equation 3
7.6
Step 7 Total Dynamic Head (TDH) for

the Pump
As described in Appendix K, the TDH for a pump

is the sum of the vertical lift, pressure head, and
friction loss. Friction losses apply only to the
piping and appurtenances between the point of
intake (inlet) and the point of storage (i.e. the
storage tank or pressure tank). Flow from the
storage tank to the point of use (i.e. the trough)
is typically gravity fed. Therefore, friction losses
between the storage tank and the point of use
are independent from the pump and do not
need to be accounted for when sizing the
pump.
7.7
manufacturers specification sheet contains the

necessary information to select the correct
pump. Note, however, that the type of
information provided may be subject to change
as solar technology improves and evolves.
Step 8 Pump Selection and Associated

Power Requirement
The pump should be selected using pump

performance curves, such as those shown in
Figures 10 and 11 (page 13), to ensure that the
pump can deliver the required flow (Step 6)
against the known TDH (Step 7). The peak
power requirement for the pump can be
determined from these curves for a given flow
rate and TDH (pumping head) to help make the
appropriate pump selection, as well as the
appropriate PV panel selection (Step 9).
The system designer may need to research the
different solar-powered pumps available on the
market at the time of the system development
as solar-powered pumps are a dynamic and
growing field that changes rapidly. The
7.8
Step 9 PV Panel Selection and Array

Layout
Once the peak power requirement (Step 8) for

the selected pump is known, this value can be
used to select the solar panel or array of panels
required to supply that power.
When multiple panels are required, they must
be wired in series, parallel, or a combination of
series-parallel to meet both the voltage and
amperage requirements of the pump. (See
Appendix J for examples of wiring panels in
series, parallel, and a combination of seriesparallel.) The power output of the individual
panels can be added together to determine the
total power they produce.
7.9
Step 10 PV Array Mounting and

Foundation Requirements
Standard details for a PV panel embedded post

mount that meets the design criteria listed in
Section 4.1 are provided in Appendix F. Designs
that exceed the criteria listed in Section 4.1
must be constructed by a qualified engineer.
Hardware for mounting panels to a post is
normally provided by the supplier. If no
supplier mount is provided, contact a qualified
engineer for design details. Also note that all
panel mount hardware must meet Oregon
Construction Specification 68 requirements.
As noted in Section 4, panel mount posts other
than the standard posts and associated
embedment shown in Appendix F require a
documented engineering design.
Page 18
If a panel or array of panels is to be mounted on

an existing structure, that structure must first
be analyzed to ensure that it has the structural
integrity necessary to withstand all local wind,
snow, and ice conditions once the panel(s)

are mounted.
7.10 Step 11 Water Flow Rates and Delivery
Point Pressure
The entire system, including the PV panels,
pump, pipe, and any storage tanks, must be
analyzed to ensure that the design flow rates
can be delivered to the delivery point(s) at the
required pressure(s) in order to properly
operate the valves (e.g., a float valve).
7.11 Step 12 Summary Description of the
System
The designer should provide a descriptive
summary of the completed system to the
landowner/contractor that includes the
following information:
All system components and their

specifications.
System operating characteristics, such as
required voltages, amperages, wattages,
etc.
Special considerations required in the

system design, including environmental
factors.
8. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
This technical note has reviewed the many
different elements that should be considered in
the design of a solar-powered water pump
system. Design examples are provided in
Appendix C, which will walk the designer
through two typical design scenarios. In
addition, three sets of standard drawings are
provided in Appendix F to assist the designer in
the development of a design package.
However, since each system will have its own
unique set of design constraints, this technical
note is not intended as a standalone document.
Rather, its intent is to provide a starting point
for the design process.
In addition to using this technical note, the
designer is encouraged to perform research
using the recommended references located in
Appendix B: Additional Resources to collect
further information on solar-powered water
pump systems.
Page 19
APPENDIX A: References
Brian D. Vick and R. Nolan Clark. Determining

the Optimum Solar Water Pumping System
for Domestic Use, Livestock Watering or
Irrigation. 2009. Proceedings of ASES
National Solar Conference. Buffalo, NY.
Lance Brown. B.C. Livestock Watering
Handbook. 2006. British Columbia Ministry
of Agriculture and Lands. Abbotsford, B.C.
Christopher W. Sinton, Roy Butler, and Richard
Winnett. Guide to Solar Powered Water
Pumping Systems in New York State. New
York State Energy Research and
Development Authority. Albany, NY.
Michael J. Buschermohle and Robert T. Burns.
Solar-Powered Livestock Watering Systems.
PB 1640. Agricultural Extension Service,
University of Tennessee. http://
utextension.tennessee.edu/publications/Do
cuments/pb1640/pdf.
Mike Morris and Vicki Lynne. Solar-powered

Livestock Watering Systems. 2002.
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural
Areas. www.attra.ncat.org.
Montana Stockwater Pipeline Manual. 1992
(revised 2004). USDA NRCS, Bozeman
Montana. ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/
MT/www/eng/engineering_documents/
engineering_manuals/MSPM.pdf.
The Montana Agsolar Project Expanding the
Agricultural Uses of Solar Energy in
Montana. December 2000. National
Center for Appropriate Technology. Butte,
Montana.
Midwest Plan Service Structures and

Environment Handbook. 1987. Iowa State
University. Ames, Iowa.
Solar Radiation Basics. 2002. University of
Oregon Solar Radiation Monitoring Lab.
www.solardat.uoregon.edu.
Renewable Energy Primer-Solar. 2003. USDANRCS West National Technical Center.
Portland, Oregon.
Notes from Corrosion Control Seminar. 2005.
U.S.Army Corps of Engineer Professional
Development Support Center. Huntsville,
AL.
Technical Note No. 28, Appendix A, October 2010
A - 20
APPENDIX B: Additional Resources

Additional information on solar-powered water
pump systems can be found by doing an
internet search for the following:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
US Department of Energy, Energy

Efficiency & Renewable Energy
USDA NRCS Energy Self Assessment
National Sustainable Agriculture

Information Service
Energy Trust of Oregon
Database of State Incentives for

Renewables and Efficiency
Renewable Energy Site for Do-ItYourselfers
American Solar Energy Society

Directory/Tools/Costs
Homepower Magazine
Dealers/Installers
Real Good Solar Products
Solar System Rating and Certification
Technical Note No. 28, Appendix B, October 2010
B - 21
APPENDIX C: Design Examples

This appendix contains two examples that
demonstrate how to design a solar-powered
water pump system. The first scenario utilizes a
surface water source (a stream) while the
second utilizes a subsurface water source (a
well).
The intent of these two typical design scenarios
is to walk you through the basic design process.
These examples are not meant to address all
the elements needed for the design and
implementation of all solar-powered water
pump system but merely to demonstrate the
basic concepts. Each system will have its own
unique set of design considerations and
constraints, which will need to be addressed
accordingly.
The landowner has documented water

rights to the stream.
The stream is fish bearing.
The intake line is located 42 ft below the

base of the tank and several feet below
average for capturing water during low
flow conditions in the summer months.
(Note that when lifting water higher than
12 to 15 ft, the use of a submersible
pump instead of a surface-mount pump is
recommended to avoid potential suction
lift problems.)
The landowner lives nearby and is on the

site daily for routine maintenance but
would like a tank sized for a minimum of
three days worth of water storage in the
event of extended cloudy weather or
maintenance issues that prevent the
pump from operating.
The landowner intends to gravity feed

two watering troughs located 1,118 ft and
712 ft from the proposed storage tank.
Two 500-gallon troughs are to be used.
Each trough will be equipped with a float
valve that requires 2 psi to operate
properly.
DESIGN EXAMPLE 1: Solar-Powered Water

Pump System Using Surface Water (a
Stream) as a Water Source
Determine:
To design a solar-powered water pump system
for this design example, which consists of a midsize organic sheep operation in Cottage Grove,
Oregon, it is necessary to determine the size of
the system needed, including the pump, PV
panels, appropriate mounting structure, pipes,
tank size, etc.
Analysis:
Given:
Step 1. Water Requirement
The landowner runs 216 sheep on 40

acres of pasture land.
The landowner intends to draw water

from a nearby stream from May through
September, when the animals are let out
to pasture.
To determine the operations water needs, use

Table 4 (page 14) to calculate the total water
requirement for the sheep, as shown below:
216 sheep x 5 gallons/day/animal
= 1,080 gallons/day
Equation C1
Technical Note No. 28, Appendix C, October 2010
C - 22
Step 2. Water Source
The water source for the planned system is a

small stream with steep banks. The stream
flows year round with sufficient flow to supply
the planned system, and the water quality is
suitable for livestock. However, adequate
screening must be provided per ODFW
requirements for the pump intake since the
stream is known to contain anadromous
salmonid fish species during certain periods of
the year.
Step 3. System Layout
The next step is to determine the layout of the
proposed system. You will need to identify all
necessary distances and elevations for the
intake point, pump, PV panels, water tank, and
water troughs, as shown in Figure C1, below.
For this example, based on the site-specific data
provided in this aerial view, the site has good
south-facing exposure and appears well suited

for solar power. Flow from the tank to the
water troughs will be gravity fed. Based on the
given elevations, the natural layout of the site
appears to provide an adequate elevation
difference between the tank and the water
troughs to operate the tank float valves in the
water troughs. (See the calculations provided in
Step 11 confirming this fact.) In addition, the
tank, pump, and PV panels can all be located in
close proximity to one other in order to
minimize electric power and pipeline friction
losses.
Figure C2, on the following page, is a profile of

the proposed layout showing all the pertinent
information needed to design the pump and PV
panels. (Since the landowner intends to gravity
feed the water troughs from the tank, the
locations and elevations of the troughs do not
factor into the design of the pump and panels.)
Figure C1 - Layout of a proposed stock water system for Design Example 1.
C - 23
Figure C2 Pump pipeline profile for Design Example 1.
Step 4. Water Storage

The systems total water storage capacity
should be sufficient for a minimum of three
days water use. This minimum storage capacity
is calculated below using the water requirement
derived in Step 1.
1,080 gallons/day x 3 days
= 3,240 gallons
Equation A 2
Two 500-gallon water troughs are included in

the system, providing a total storage capacity of
1,000 gallons (2 x 500 = 1,000). Therefore, the
storage tank must be sized to hold a minimum
of 2,240 gallons (3,240 1,000 = 2,240). Based
on information from different distributors, a
2,500-gallon water tank is a readily available
size. The tank is 92 inches in diameter and 95
inches tall. As a safety precaution, it is
recommended that the tank and troughs be
filled prior to use to ensure that the system has
adequate water storage.
In order to provide adequate drainage, a firm

foundation that can support the 20,785 lb
weight of the completely full tank (2,500 gallons
x 8.314 lb/gallon = 20,785 lb) is required. In
addition, to minimize the potential for
settlement, the use of a minimum 3-inch thick
leveling pad of well compacted -inch drain
rock underlain by geotextile fabric is
recommended for the foundation. The 3-inch
thick leveling pad should extend approximately
1 ft beyond the footprint of the tank.
Step 5. Solar Insolation and PV Panel Location
The closest solar insolation values to those for
Cottage Grove, Oregon, that are contained in
Appendix D are for Eugene, Oregon, based on
the proximity of the two locations. Therefore,
the tabulated solar insolation values for Eugene
will be used for this design. The average solar
hours for flat-plate collectors facing south at a
fixed tilt of 29 (44 15 = 29 degrees from
horizontal) during the summer months in
Eugene are listed in Table C1, below.
C - 24
Table C1 - Solar Insolation in kWh/m2/day in Eugene, Oregon

May
Eugene, OR
Average kWh/m2/day
29 Tilt
or peak sun hours per day
5.6
Using the tabulated values above, there are
several different ways to assess the number of
peak sun hours to use when designing the
system. The designer may elect to use the peak
sun hours for the month that generates the
most as that month would most likely correlate
with the month in which the operations water
need is greatest. Or the designer may elect to
use the peak sun hours for the month that
generates the least number of peak sun hours
for added insurance. For the purposes of this
example, the average of all five months will be
used since the values are relatively similar over
the May through September period. This
amount can be calculated as follows:
(5.6 + 6.0 + 6.7 + 6.3 + 5.4)
5
= 6.0 hours
Jun
6.0
Jul
6.7
To determine the pumps TDH, use the

following equation:
TDH = Vertical Lift + Pressure Head. +
Friction Losses
Equation C5
Vertical lift is the vertical distance between the

water surface at the intake point (the streams
water surface) and the water surface at the
delivery point (the tanks water surface). In this
example:
Vertical Lift = 248 ft + 8 ft 206 ft
= 50 ft
Equation C6
Pressure head is the pressure at the delivery

point in the tank. For this example, there is no
pressure at the delivery point (the water
surface in the tank), so:
Pressure Head = 0 ft
Step 6. Design Flow Rate for the Pump

The pumps design flow rate is based on the
operations estimated daily water needs (Step
1) divided by the number of peak sun hours per
day (Step 5), as shown below.
1,080 gallons
(6.0 peak sun hours x 60 minutes/hour)
= 3.0 gpm
Equation C4
Sep
5.4
Step 7. Total Dynamic Head (TDH) for the

Pump
Equation C3
The decision of which approach to use to

determine the peak sun hours to base the
system design on is up to the discretion of the
designer and should be based on good
engineering judgment.
Aug
6.3
Equation C7
Friction loss is the loss of pressure due to the

friction of the water as it flows through the
pipe. Friction loss is determined by four factors:
the pipe size (inside diameter), the flow rate,
the length of the pipe, and the pipes
roughness. Appendix G contains a list of
calculated friction losses for different pipe sizes
and flow rates for Schedule 40 PVC pipe.
Due to the relatively close proximity of the
intake point and the storage tank in the given
C - 25
system layout, the total friction losses in the

pipeline are minimal. As such, a less expensive,
smaller diameter pipe is selected.
Approximately 137 ft of -inch diameter PVC
pipe will be used to convey water from the
source to the tank. From Appendix G, the
friction loss for -inch pipe conveying 3.0 gpm
(Step 6) is approximately 2.17 feet of head loss
per 100 ft of pipe. Therefore, the total
estimated friction loss for 137 ft of pipe is 2.97
ft (137 ft 100 ft of pipe x 2.17 ft of head
loss/100 ft = 2.97 ft). Minor losses through
elbows and valves are estimated to be 1.8 ft, for
a total friction loss of 4.77 ft (2.97 + 1.8 = 4.77).
(More details on hydraulic analysis are
contained in the NRCS National Engineering
Handbook, Part 634.)
Therefore, the TDH for the proposed system is
calculated as shown below.
TDH = 50 ft + 0 ft + 4.77 ft
=54.77 ft use 55 ft
Step 8. Pump Selection and Associated Power

Requirement
The pump can be selected by comparing the

design flow rate and TDH calculated in Steps 6
and 7 with the information from the
manufacturers pump curves. The pump curves
in Figure C3 (duplicated from Figure 10), below,
are used for this scenario.
The first step for this example is to locate the
design flow rate of 3.0 gpm on the y-axis of the
pump curve diagram and draw a horizontal line
across the chart through this point, as shown.
Next, locate where this line intersects the curve
representing a TDH of 55 ft (60 ft being the
closest curve in the case of Figure C3). From
this point of intersection, draw a vertical line to
the bottom of the graph. The point where the
vertical line crosses the x-axis shows the peak
power requirement for the pump. As shown,
based on a calculated flow rate of 3.0 gpm and
a TDH of 55 ft (rounded up to 60 ft), a minimum
input of 160 Watts of peak power is required.
Equation C8
Figure C3 Pump curves used for Design Example 1.
C - 26
(The minimum operating voltage for the pump

to run efficiently is specified as 60 volts by the
manufacturer.)
Step 9. PV Panel Selection and Array Layout
The PV panels selected for this system must be

able to provide the minimum energy
requirement to run the pump. As determined
in Step 8, the minimum power needed is 160
Watts. However, the panels must also have
additional capacity to account for any potential
reduction in power due high heat, dust, age,
etc. Many PV manufacturers recommend
increasing the minimum peak power value by
25% to account for these environmental
factors. Therefore, the PV panels will be sized
to provide a minimum output of 200 Watts
(1.25 x 160 = 200 W).
A PV panel is selected that has the electrical
characteristics shown in Table 3 (page 6): a peak
power output of 117 W at 35.5 V and 3.3 A.
Therefore, two panels are required to meet the
pumps power requirement. They will be wired
in series to provide the necessary voltage for
the pump. (See Appendix J for panel wiring
information.)
Step 10.
PV Array Mounting and Foundation

Requirements
Since site conditions permit (i.e. the depth of

embedment is not limited by shallow bedrock)
and the site is located in an area where the
recommended design wind speed tolerance is
85 mph or less, the standard details for
mounting structure embedded posts listed in
Appendix F may be used. (If the panels were
going to be located in a high wind area, a more
detailed analysis of the mounting structure
would be needed.)
Step 11. Water Flow Rates and Delivery Point
Pressure
As noted in the given information for this
example, the float valve used for each trough
requires a minimum of 2 psi (equal to 4.6 ft of

head) to be activated. To ensure there is
adequate pressure to operate the float valve in
each water trough, determine the pressure
head available at the trough for a flow rate of
1.0 gpm in the pipe (which is sufficient to supply
the daily water requirement for the trough), as
shown in the following equation.
Water Trough #1
(Elev + Pressure Head)Tank
= (Elev + Pressure Head)Trough + Friction Loss
(248 ft + 0.5 ft)Tank

= (239 ft + Pressure Head)Trough + Friction Loss
Tank Pressure Head = 0.5 ft to conservatively
assume the tank is near empty.
Friction Loss (for -inch pipe @ 1 gpm)
=
0.28 ft
x length of -inch pipe
100 ft of pipe
=
0.28 ft
x 870 ft + 232 ft
100 ft of pipe
100 ft
= 3.86 ft
Pressure HeadTrough
= 248 ft + 0.5 ft 239 ft 3.86 ft
= 5.64 ft
5.64 ft is greater than the minimum
requirement of 4.6 ft.
Equation C9
Since the pressure at the trough is greater than

the required pressure needed to operate the
float valve, the delivery system to this trough is
acceptable. If additional pressure were needed,
however, increasing the delivery pipe size to a
1-inch or 1-inch diameter pipe would
significantly reduce friction losses, thereby
increasing the pressure available at the trough.
(Additional information on flow rates and pipe
C - 27
sizing can be obtained from the Montana

Stockwater Pipeline Manual.)
Water Trough #2
The pressure at Water Trough #2 can be

determined through observation. Since it is
lower in elevation and closer to the water tank
than Water Trough #1, thereby resulting in less
friction loss, its pressure is acceptable.
Step 12. Summary Description of the System
Since the water source is a fish-bearing stream,
the intake pipe will need to be screened, as per
ODFWs fish screen criteria. (A copy of the state
criteria for Oregon is located in Appendix I.
Contact ODFW representatives in your area for
local screening requirements.)
Solar Panel Rating:
Determine:
To design a solar-powered water pump system
for this design example, which consists of a beef
operation in Crane, Oregon, it is necessary to
determine the size of the system needed,
including the pump, PV panels, appropriate
mounting structure, pipes, tank, etc.
Given:
A beef operation in Harney County near

Crane, Oregon, where the landowner runs
250 head of beef on 1,500 acres. He
rotates the herd every two to three
weeks between three 500-acre pastures.
A herd of elk (approximately 30) routinely

take up residence in the pastures.
160 Watts
234 Watts
71 Volts
3.3 Amps
A water supply is needed during the

summer grazing season.
The landowner is requesting a minimum

of three days worth of water storage
using either one large or two smaller
water tanks.
The landowner intends to gravity feed

three water troughs. The troughs hold
700 gallons each. They are equipped with
float valves that require a minimum
pressure of 2 psi to operate properly.
A well log (Appendix H) has been obtained

from a recently constructed well located a
half mile away. It contains the following
pertinent information:
The system information can be recorded as

follows (per Step 9):
Power Required
(Performance Curve):
DESIGN EXAMPLE 2: Solar-Powered Water

Pump System Using Subsurface Water
(a Well) as a Water Source
The panel information for the system can be

described as:
Number of Panels:
2 wired in series
Panel Dimensions:
Length = 60 inches
Width = 26 inches
Recommended
Safety Switches:
1. Run-dry switch so
the pump does
not run dry.
2. Tank float switch
to stop the pump
when the storage
tank is full.
This information can be summarized on a copy

of the drawings located in Appendix F, which
can be provided as part of the design package.
o
o
o
o
o
Static water level = 106 ft

Yield = 30 gal/min
Drawdown = 9 ft after 2 hours of testing
Total well depth = 269 ft
Depth of pump below ground = 181 ft
C - 28
Analysis:
Step 1. Water Requirement
The daily water requirement for the animals

present on the property is determined as
follows using the quantities listed in Table 4
(page 14):
250 beef cattle x 15 gallons/animal/day
= 3,750 gallons/day
30 elk x 7 gallons/animal/day
= 210 gallons/day
Total daily water requirement:
= 3,750 + 210 gallons
= 3,960 gallons
Equation C10
shown, the pump and PV panels are located

3,575 ft from the main storage tank. The
troughs are located at varying distances from
the tank. (Since the landowner intends to
gravity feed the water troughs from the tank,
the locations and elevations of the troughs do
not factor into the design of the pump and
panels.)
Step 4. Water Storage
The anticipated volume of water storage that

the operation will need, which should be
sufficient for a minimum of three days of water
use, can be calculated as follows using the
water requirement derived in Step 1:
3,960 gallons/day x 3 days

= 11,880 gallons
Equation C11
Step 2. Water Source

The water source will be a new well that will be
drilled. It is anticipated that the well will have
characteristics similar to those given for the
nearby, existing well referenced previously.
Step 3. System Layout
Based on the site-specific data collected, the
site has good south-facing exposure and
appears well suited for solar power, as shown in
Figure C4, on the following page. In addition,
based on the given elevations, the natural
layout of the site appears to provide an
adequate elevation difference between the
tank and water troughs to operate the tank
float valves in the water troughs. (See the
calculations provided in Step 11 confirming this
fact.)
Figure C5, on the following page, is a profile of
the proposed layout showing all the pertinent
information needed to design the system. As
Three 700-gallon water troughs are included in

the system, providing a total storage capacity of
2,100 gallons (3 x 700 gallons = 2,100 gallons).
Therefore, a tank sized to hold a minimum of
9,780 gallons is needed (11,880 2,100 =
9,780). A standard tank size that is
commercially available is 10,000 gallons. The
tank is 141 inches in diameter and 160 inches
tall. As a safety precaution, it is recommended
that the tank and troughs be filled prior to use
to ensure that the system has adequate water
storage.
Due to the relatively large footprint of the tank
and its 83,140 lb weight when full (10,000
gallons x 8.314 lb/gallon = 83,140 lb), it is
recommended that a minimum 3-inch thick
leveling pad of well compacted -inch drain
rock be provided for the foundation. The
leveling pad should extend approximately 1 ft
past the footprint of the tank.
C - 29
Figure C4 - Layout of proposed stock water system for Design Example #2.
Figure C5 - Pump pipeline profile for Design Example #2.
C - 30
Table C2 - Solar Insolation in kWh/m2/day in Burns, Oregon

May
Jun
Burns, OR
Average kWh/m2/day
29 Tilt
or peak sun hours per day
Step 5. Solar Insolation and PV Panel Location

The closest solar insolation values to those for
Crane, Oregon, that are contained in Appendix
D are for Burns, Oregon, based on the proximity
of the two locations. Therefore, the solar
insolation values for Burns for flat-plate
collectors facing south at a fixed tilt of 29 (44
latitude 15 = 29) during the summer months
will be used for this example. These values are
shown in Table C2, above.
Using the tabulated values above, the average
peak sun hours for the five months that the
system will be operating can be calculated as
follows:
(6.5 + 6.9 + 7.5 + 7.3 + 6.3)

5 months
= 6.9 hours
Equation C12
Step 6. Design Flow Rate for the Pump

The pumps design flow rate is based on the
operations estimated daily water needs (Step
1) divided by the number of peak sun hours per
day (Step 5), calculated as shown below:
6.5
6.9
Jul
Aug
Sep
7.5
7.3
6.3
Step 7. Total Dynamic Head (TDH) for the

Pump
To determine the pumps TDH, use the
following equation:
TDH = Vertical Lift + Pressure Head. +
Friction Losses
Equation C14
Vertical lift is the vertical distance between the

water surface at the intake point (the wells
water surface) and the water surface at the
delivery point (the tanks water surface). In this
example:
Vertical Lift = 106 ft + 9 ft + 25 ft + 13 ft, 8 in
154 ft
Equation C15
Pressure head is the pressure at the delivery

point in the tank. For this example, there is no
pressure at the delivery point (the tanks water
surface), so:
Pressure Head = 0 ft
Equation C16
3,960 gallons
(6.9 peak sun hours x 60 minutes/hour)
= 9.6 gpm
Equation C13
Friction loss is the loss of pressure due to the

friction of the water as it flows through the
pipe. Friction loss is determined by four factors:
the pipe size (inside diameter), the flow rate,
the length of the pipe, and the pipes
roughness. Appendix G contains a list of
calculated friction losses for different pipe sizes
and flow rates for Schedule 40 PVC pipe.
C - 31
For the given system layout, approximately

1,330 inches of 1-inch diameter PVC pipe is
needed to pipe water from the well to the
storage tank. From Appendix G, the friction loss
for 9.6 gpm flowing in a 1-inch pipe is
approximately 0.67 feet of head loss per 100 ft
of pipe. Therefore, the total estimated friction
loss for 1,330 ft of pipe is 8.9 ft (1,330 ft 100 ft
of pipe x 0.67 ft/100 ft head loss = 8.9 ft). In
addition, a head loss of 1.2 ft for the 181 ft of
pipe in the well must be added, as well as 1.4 ft
of minor losses, for a total friction loss of 11.5 ft
(8.9 ft + 1.2 ft + 1.4 ft = 11.5 ft). (More details
on hydraulic analysis are contained in the NRCS
National Engineering Handbook, Part 634.)
Therefore, the total dynamic head for the
proposed pump can be calculated as follows:
TDH = 154 ft + 0 ft + 11.5 ft
= 166 ft 170 ft
Equation C17
Step 8. Pump Selection and Associated Power

Requirement
The pump can be selected by comparing the

design flow rate and TDH calculated in Steps 6
and 7 with the manufacturers pump curves.
The pump curves in Figure C6 (duplicated from
Figure 11), below, are used for this scenario.
The first step for this example is to locate the
flow rate of 9.6 gpm on the y-axis of the pump
curve diagram. Draw a horizontal line across
the chart through this point, as shown. Next,
locate where this line intersects the curve
representing a TDH of 170 ft. From this point of
intersection, draw a vertical line to the bottom
of the graph. The point where the vertical line
crosses the x-axis shows the peak power
requirement for the pump. As shown below,
based on a calculated flow rate of 9.6 gpm and
a TDH of 170 ft, a minimum input of 560 Watts
of peak power is required. (The minimum
operating voltage for the pump to run
Figure C6 Pump curves used for Design Example #2.
C - 32
efficiently is specified as 100 volts by the

manufacturer.)
Step 9. PV Panel Selection and Array Layout

The PV panels selected for this system must be
able to provide the minimum energy
requirement to run the pump. As determined
in Step 8, the minimum power needed is 560
Watts. However, the panels must also have
additional capacity to account for any potential
reduction in power due high heat, dust, age,
etc. Many PV panel manufacturers recommend
increasing the minimum peak power value by
25% to account for these environmental
factors. Therefore, the PV panels will be sized
to provide a minimum output of 700 Watts
(1.25 X 560 = 700 W).
A PV panel is selected that has the electrical
characteristics shown in Table 3 (page 6): a peak
power output of 117 W at 35.5 V and 3.3 A.
Therefore, six panels are required to meet the
pumps power requirement. They will be wired
in a combination of series and parallel (two
groups of three panels wired in series with the
groups wired in parallel) to provide the
necessary voltage for the pump.
The total output voltage and current for six PV
panels, as calculated below, proves they will be
able to meet the pumps needs. The output
voltage for three panels wired in series is the
sum of their individual voltages:
Output voltage = 35.5 V + 35.5 V + 35.5 V
= 107.5 V
Equation C18
The output current for two groups of three

panels wired in series is the sum of the current
for each group:
Output current = 3.3 A + 3.3 A

= 6.6 A
Total output power in Watts
= Volts x Amps
= 107.5 V x 6.6 A
= 709.5 W
Equation C19
The array will therefore generate slightly more

than the pumps power requirement of 700 W.
Step 10. PV Array Mounting and Foundation
Requirements
Since site conditions permit (i.e. the depth of
embedment is not limited by shallow bedrock)
and the site is located in an area where the
recommended design wind speed tolerance is
85 mph or less, the standard details for
mounting structure embedded posts listed in
Appendix F may be used. (If the panels were
going to be located in a high wind area, a more
detailed analysis of the mounting structure
would be needed.)
Step 11. Water Flow Rates and Delivery Point
Pressure
The flow from the storage tank to the troughs is
gravity fed. As noted in the given information
for this example, a minimum of 2 psi (equal to
4.6 ft of head) is needed to activate the float
valves in the water troughs. To ensure there is
adequate pressure, determine the pressure
head available at the water troughs for a
modest flow rate of 4 gpm in the pipe, which
would be sufficient to supply the daily water
requirement for the troughs.
Water Trough #1
Water Trough #1 is at an elevation of 3,585 ft.
It is 1,130 ft from the tank. Therefore:
C - 33


(3,600 ft + 0.5 ft)Tank

= (3,585 ft + Pressure Head)Trough + Friction Loss
(3,600 ft + 0.5 ft)Tank

= (3,550 ft + Pressure Head)Trough + Friction Loss


Friction Loss (for 1 -inch pipe @ 4 gpm)
Friction Loss (for 1 -inch pipe @ 4 gpm)
0.13 ft
x length of 1-inch pipe
100 ft of pipe
=
0.13 ft
x 1,130 ft
100 ft of pipe
100 ft
=
0.13 ft
100 ft of pipe
x length of 1-inch pipe
=
0.13 ft
100 ft of pipe
x 2,135 ft
100 ft
= 1.5 ft
= 2.8 ft
Pressure HeadTrough
= 3,600 ft + 0.5 ft 3,585 ft 1.5 ft
= 14.0 ft
Pressure HeadTrough
= 3,600 ft + 0.5 ft 3,550 ft 2.8 ft
= 47.7 ft


Equation C21
Equation C20
Since the pressure at the trough is greater than

acceptable. However, if additional pressure
were needed, increasing the deliver pipe size
would significantly reduce friction losses,
thereby increasing the pressure available at the
trough.
For additional information on flow rates and

pipe sizing, see the Montana Stockwater
Pipeline Manual.
Water Trough #2
Step 12. Summary Description of the System
Water Trough #2 is at an elevation of 3,550 ft.

It is 2,135 ft from the tank. Therefore, see
Equation C21 (right).
The landowner must install a fence around the

wellhead, the solar panel array, and the
electronic controllers to provide protection
against damage from the operations livestock,
as well as from the elk that are frequently
Since the pressure at this trough is greater than

also acceptable.
C - 34
present. In addition, the PV array will be placed

in a remote location away from roads and
public lands. Therefore, damage from
vandalism is not anticipated.
The system information can be recorded as
follows:
Amps:
6.6 A
Volts:
106.5 V
Power Required
(Performance Curve):
560 Watts
Solar Panel Rating:
234 Watts
107.5 Volts
6.6 Amps
The panel information for the system can be

described as:
Number of Panels:
Panel Dimensions:
Length = 60 inches,
Width = 26 inches
Recommended
Safety Switches:
1. Run-dry switch so
the pump does
not run dry.
2. Tank float switch
to stop the pump
when the storage
tank is full.
This information can be summarized on a copy

of the drawings located in Appendix F, which
can be provided as part of the design package.
C - 35
APPENDIX D: Solar Insolation Values for Oregon 2
Source: http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/pubs/redbook/PDFs/OR.PDF (September, 2010)
Technical Note No. 28, Appendix D, October 2010
D - 36
D - 37
D - 38
D - 39
D - 40
D - 41
D - 42
D - 43
D - 44
D - 45
APPENDIX E: NREL Approach to Determining Solar Insolation

Values
PVWATTS v.2 (Beta) FlexViewer can be
used as a quick way to determine site
specific solar insolation (peak sun
hours) data for specific locations within
the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, and
Hawaii.
Below is a brief summary of how to get
started with PVWATTS v.2 (Beta)
FlexViewer. (Additional instructions can
be found on NRELs website at
http://mapserve3.nrel.gov/PVWatts_Vi
ewer/index.html.)
1) Perform an internet search for

NREL PVWATTS FlexViewer
(Beta).
2) A screen with an interactive map
highlighting the 48 contiguous
states with a black box in the
upper right-hand corner titled
PVWATTS Tool will come up, as
shown in Figure C1, below.
3) Either select a location by clicking
on the map or input the zip code
for the area of interest in the
black box and press Go.
Figure C 1
Technical Note No. 28, Appendix E, October 2010
E - 46
PVWATTS will locate the site and

populate the black box with pertinent
information regarding the selected
location, as shown in Figure C2, below. If
the information is correct, press Send to
PVWATTS. If not, press Back and
choose again.
4) After your press Send to
PVWATTS, you will be directed
to the PVWATTS calculator site, as
shown in Figure C3, on the
following page. The PVWATTS
calculator is partitioned into three
distinct categories: Site Location,
PV System Specifications, and
Energy Data. In order to
determine the solar insolation
values for your site, you will only
need to input information under the PV

System Specifications category for
Array Type and Array Tilt.
Array Type: Select either
fixed, 1-axis tracking, or 2axis tracking.
Array Tilt: See Section 3.1 of

this technical note to determine
the correct tilt angle.
All other items in the calculator
can be left with the default
values.
Figure C 2
E - 47
Figure C 3
5) Press Calculate. The PVWATTS

calculator will provide a table
listing monthly solar radiation
(insolation) values, as shown in
Figure C4, on the following page.
It is always a good practice to
compare these values with the
solar insolation tables in
Appendix D or with other solar

insolation values to make sure
you are using the correct design
values for your site.
Additional information regarding the
use of PVWATTS can be obtained from
the NREL website.
E - 48
Figure C 4
E - 49
APPENDIX F: Standard Drawings
Technical Note No. 28, Appendix F, October 2010
F - 50
F - 51
F - 52
F - 53
F - 54
F - 55
APPENDIX G: Friction Head Loss for Schedule 40 PVC Plastic

Pipe
Head loss in feet per 100 feet of pipe
for Schedule 40 PVC Plastic
C = 150
Nominal Pipe Diameter
GPM
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
100
150
200
1.16
4.19
8.88
15.13
22.88
32.07
0.28
1.03
2.17
3.70
5.60
7.85
10.44
13.37
16.63
20.21
0.09
0.31
0.65
1.11
1.69
2.36
3.14
4.02
5.01
6.08
7.26
8.53
11.34
14.53
Warning: Velocity
exceeds 5 ft/s
in shaded cells.
0.02
0.08
0.17
0.29
0.43
0.61
0.81
1.04
1.29
1.57
1.87
2.20
2.92
3.74
4.65
5.65
6.75
7.92
9.19
0.01
0.04
0.08
0.13
0.20
0.28
0.38
0.48
0.60
0.73
0.87
1.03
1.37
1.75
2.17
2.64
3.15
3.71
4.30
4.93
5.60
7.45
9.54
2
0.01
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.11
0.14
0.18
0.21
0.26
0.30
0.40
0.51
0.64
0.77
0.92
1.08
1.26
1.44
1.64
2.18
2.79
3.47
4.22
5.03
5.92
0.01
0.02
0.02
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.07
0.09
0.11
0.13
0.17
0.22
0.27
0.33
0.39
0.46
0.53
0.61
0.69
0.92
1.18
1.46
1.78
2.12
2.49
2.89
3.32
3.77
4.25
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.03
0.04
0.04
0.06
0.07
0.09
0.11
0.13
0.16
0.18
0.21
0.24
0.32
0.41
0.51
0.61
0.73
0.86
1.00
1.15
1.30
1.47
1.64
1.82
2.02
2.22
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.06
0.08
0.11
0.13
0.16
0.19
0.23
0.26
0.30
0.34
0.39
0.43
0.48
0.53
0.59
1.24
2.12
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.08
0.09
0.10
0.11
0.13
0.14
0.16
0.18
0.19
0.41
0.70
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.03
0.04
0.04
0.05
0.05
0.06
0.07
0.07
0.08
0.17
0.29
Technical Note No. 28, Appendix G, October 2010
G - 56
APPENDIX H: Sample Well Log
Technical Note No. 28, Appendix H, October 2010
H - 57
APPENDIX I: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish

Screening Criteria
OREGON DEPARTMENT of FISH and WILDLIFE
FISH SCREENING and PASSAGE PROGRAM
FISH SCREENING CRITERIA
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
generally uses the following National Marine
Fisheries
Service
Northwest
Region
Anadromous Salmonid Screening Guidelines
and Criteria. For details including exceptions,
contact the person listed below.
Juvenile Fish Screen Criteria General (1995),
Juvenile Fish Screen Criteria for Pump Intakes
(1996), and Experimental Fish Guidance
Devices (1994) can be accessed at
www.nwr.noaa.gov/Publications/GuidanceDocuments/Passage-Guidance.cfm.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The following is only a summary of fish
screening criteria for all fish species. For
detailed criteria, contact the person listed
below.
Definitions used:
Approach velocity: The water velocity
perpendicular to and approximately three
inches in front of the screen face.
Sweeping velocity: The water velocity parallel
to the screen face.
Bypass system: Any pipe, flume, open channel
or other means of conveyance that transports
fish back to the body of water from which the
fish were diverted.
Active pump screen: Self-cleaning screen that
has a proven mechanical cleaning system.
Passive pump screen: Screen that has no

cleaning system other than periodic manual
cleaning.
Screen material openings for ditch (gravity)
and pump screens must provide a minimum of
27% open area:
Perforated plate: Openings shall not exceed
3/32 or 0.0938 inches (2.38 mm).
Mesh/Woven wire screen: Square openings
shall not exceed 3/32 or 0.0938 inches (2.38
mm) in the narrow direction, e.g., 3/32 inch x
3/32 inch open mesh.
Profile bar screen/Wedge wire: Openings shall
not exceed 0.0689 inches (1.75 mm) in the
narrow direction.
Screen area must be large enough not to cause
fish impact. Wetted screen area depends on the
water flow rate and the approach velocity.
Screen approach velocity for ditch and active
pump screens shall not exceed 0.4 fps (feet per
second) or 0.12 mps (meters per second). The
wetted screen area in square feet is calculated
by dividing the maximum water flow rate in
cubic feet per second (1 cfs = 449 gpm) by 0.4
fps. *
Screen sweeping velocity for ditch screens shall
exceed the approach velocity. Screens greater
than 6 feet in length must be angled. This angle
may be decided by site specific geometry,
hydraulic, and sediment conditions. An
adequate bypass system must be provided for
Technical Note No. 28, Appendix I, October 2010
I - 58
ditch screens to safely and rapidly collect and

transport fish back to the stream.
Screen approach velocity for passive pump

screens shall not exceed 0.2 fps or 0.06 mps.
The wetted screen area in square feet is
calculated by dividing the maximum water flow
rate by 0.2 fps. Pump rate must be less than 3
cfs. * Passive pump screens are only allowed
where there is insufficient depth in the water
body to operate a self-cleaning pump screen.
Pump screens should have internal

balance tubes for uniform approach
velocity. A pump screen without
balance tubes must have more wetted
screen surface than indicated in these
formulas.
For further information please contact:

Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife, Statewide Fish Screening
Coordinator: 503.947.6229
Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife, Screening Program
Administrative Specialist: 503.947.6224
Technical Note No. 28, Appendix I, October 2010
I - 59
APPENDIX J: Solar Panel Wiring
PV solar panels can be wired together in series, in parallel or in a combination of series and parallel to
obtain the needed output voltage and current. Solar panels have a negative (-) and a positive terminal
(+) similar to the terminals on a battery.
PV panels are wired in series by connecting the
negative terminal of one panel to the positive
terminal of the next panel as shown in Figure H-1.
When panels are wired in series, the panel voltages
are added.
If the panel has the characteristics shown in Table
2, the resultant voltage output for panels shown in
Figure A5-1 is
Figure H 3 - Figure H-1. Solar panel wiring
in series.
35.5 + 35.5 + 35.5 + 35.5 = 142 V

The current output would be the same as for an
individual panel or 3.3 A.
Panels are wired in parallel by connecting positive
terminals and negative terminals as shown in
Figure H-2
In this case, the output voltage is the same as the
individual panel voltage, and the currents of
individual panels are added.
Figure H 3 - Solar panel wiring in parallel.
For the panel characteristics shown in Table 2, the

output for panels in parallel is:
3.3+ 3.3 + 3.3 + 3.3 = 13.2 A
The output voltage is 35.5 V
A series/parallel circuit as shown in Figure H-3 is
considered to be two or more series circuits that
are wired together in parallel. In the example, two
panels are wired in series, and two of these groups
are wired in parallel.
The voltage output for two panels in series (using
the information from Table 1) is:
35.5 + 35.5 = 71 V
The current produced is the sum of the current
produced by each group of two panels wired in
series:
3.3 + 3.3 = 6.6 A
The total power produced by all configurations is:
71 V X 6.6 A = 468.6 W
Figure H 3 - Figure H-3. Solar panel wiring in

combination of series and parallel.
The values for voltage and current must meet the

requirements of the motor supplied.
Technical Note No. 28, Appendix J, October 2010
J - 60
APPENDIX K: Glossary of Solar-Powered Water Pump Terms

Alternating Current (AC)
An electric current that reverses its direction at regularly recurring intervals.
Amperes (Amps or A)
A measure of electric current in a conductor. The voltage drop in a conductor is

directly related to the current (A). (See Voltage Drop.)
Booster Pump
A surface pump used to increase pressure in a water line or to pull water from a
storage tank and pressurize a water system. (See Surface Pump.)
Cable Splice
A joint in an electrical cable.
Casing
A plastic or steel tube that is permanently inserted into a well after it is drilled.
Its size is specified according to its inside diameter.
Centrifugal Pump
A pumping mechanism that spins water by means of an impeller. Water is forced

out of the impeller by centrifugal force, thus giving energy (head) to the water.
(Also see Multi-Stage Centrifugal Pump.)
Check Valve
A valve that allows water to flow one way but not the other.
DC Motor, Brush-Type
A traditional DC motor in which small, conductive carbon blocks, called

"brushes," conduct current into the spinning portion of the motor. They are used
in DC surface pumps and also in some DC submersible pumps. Brushes naturally
wear with time and must be replaced. (See Direct Current (DC).)
DC Motor, Permanent
Magnet
A DC motor that solar pumps use in some form. Being a variable speed motor by
nature, reduced input power (in low sun) produces proportionally reduced speed
and causes no harm to the motor. (See Direct Current (DC). Contrast with
Induction Motor.)
Diaphragm Pump
A type of pump in which water is drawn in and forced out of one or more
chambers by a flexible diaphragm. Check valves let water into and out of each
chamber. (See Check Valve.)
Direct Current (DC)

Drawdown
An electric current flowing in one direction only and substantially constant in

value.
The lowering of the level of water in a well due to pumping.
Drop Pipe
The pipe that carries water from a pump in a well up to the surface.
Flow Rate
The amount of fluid that flows in a given time, normally expressed in units of
gallons per minute (gpm) in solar-powered systems.
Foot Valve
A check valve placed in the water source below a surface pump. It prevents
water from flowing back down the pipe and causing the pump to lose prime.
(See Check Valve and Priming.)
Friction Loss
The loss of pressure due to the friction caused by the flow of water in a pipe.
Friction loss is determined by four factors: the pipe size (inside diameter), the
flow rate, the length of the pipe, and the pipes roughness. It is determined by
consulting a friction loss chart available in an engineering reference book or a
pipe supplier. Friction loss is normally expressed in psi or ft per length of pipe.
(See Flow Rate.)
Technical Note No. 28, Appendix K, October 2010
K - 61
Gravity Flow
The use of gravity to produce pressure and water flow (2.31 vertical feet = 1 psi).
A storage tank will be elevated above the point of use so that water will flow
with no further pumping required. A booster pump may be used to increase
pressure. (See Pressure.)
Head
The amount of energy per unit weight of water. The three principle components
of head are the elevation (lift), pressure, and velocity of flowing water. A pump
is used to impart head to water. (See Vertical Lift and Total Dynamic Head.)
Impeller
See Centrifugal Pump.
Induction Motor (AC)
The type of electric motor used in conventional AC water pumps. It requires a

high surge of current to start and a stable voltage supply, making it relatively
expensive to run by solar power. (See Inverter, Alternating Current, and Volt.)
Inverter
An electronic control device that produces AC output from DC input. (See

Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC).)
Kilowatt (kW)
A unit of power equal to 1,000 Watts. (See Watt.)
Kilowatt-Hour (kWh)
A unit of energy that is the multiplication of power in kilowatts (kW) and time in
hours. (See Kilowatt (kW).)
Linear Current Booster

(LCB)
An electronic device that conditions the voltage and current of a PV array to

match the needs of a DC-powered pump, especially a positive displacement
pump. It allows the pump to start and run under low sun conditions without
stalling. It is also called a pump controller. (See Pump Controller, Volt, and
Direct Current (DC).)
Multi-Stage Centrifugal
Pump
A centrifugal pump with multiple impellers arranged in series to produce higher

pressure (head). (See Centrifugal Pump.)
National Electrical Code

(NEC)
A United States standard for the safe installation of electrical wiring and
equipment published by the National Fire Protection Association.
Open Discharge
The filling of a water vessel that is not sealed to hold pressure (e.g., a water tank,
storage (holding) tank, or pond). Flood irrigation is a form of open discharge.
(Contrast with Pressure Tank.)
Perforations
Slits cut into the well casing to allow groundwater to enter. They may be located
at more than one level to coincide with water-bearing strata in the earth. (See
Casing.)
Photovoltaic (PV) Panel
An array of photovoltaic cells encapsulated in a protective frame and transparent

cover and manufactured to meet specific standards. PV panels are normally
rated based on their power output, including voltage and amperage. (See
Amperes and Volts.)
Pitless Adapter
A below-ground pipe fitting for a well casing that allows the pump discharge pipe
to pass horizontally through the casing so that no pipe is exposed above ground,
where it could freeze. The adapter contains a seal so the pump can be installed
and removed without further need to dig around the casing. (See Casing.)
Positive Displacement
Pump
Any mechanism that seals water in a chamber, then forces it out by reducing the
volume of the chamber (e.g., a piston (including a jack), diaphragm, or rotary
vane). It is used for low volume and high lift. (Contrast with Centrifugal Pump.)
Pounds per Square Inch

(psi)
See Pressure.
K - 62
Pressure
The amount of force produced by water over a given area, normally measured in
pounds per square inch (psi). One psi will sustain a vertical column of water 2.31
ft tall (psi X 2.31 = ft of head).
Pressure Switch
An electrical switch actuated by the pressure in a pressure tank. When the

pressure drops to a low set point (cut-in), the pressure switch turns the pump on.
When the pressure reaches a high point (cut-out), the pressure switch turns the
pump off. (See Pressure Tank.)
Pressure Tank
A fully enclosed tank that contains air space. As water is forced in, the air
compresses. The stored water may be released after the pump has stopped.
Most pressure tanks use a rubber bladder to contain the air and are referred to
as captive air tanks.
Pressure Tank
Precharge
The pressure of compressed air stored in a pressure tank. A reading should be

taken with an air pressure gauge (tire gauge) when the water pressure is at zero.
The air pressure should then be adjusted to about 3 psi lower than the cut-in
pressure. If the precharge is not set properly, the tank will not work at full
capacity and the pump will cycle on and off more frequently. (See Pressure
Switch and Pressure Tank.)
Priming
The process of hand filling the suction and intake pipes of a surface pump with
water. Priming is generally necessary when a pump is located above the water
source. (See Foot Valve.)
Pulsation Damper
A device that absorbs and releases pulsations in the water flow produced by a
piston or diaphragm pump. It consists of a chamber with entrapped air.
Pump Controller
An electronic device that controls or processes power between the solar array
and the pump. It may perform any of the following functions: stopping and
starting the pump, protecting the pump from overload, and converting or
matching power. (See Linear Current Booster).
Recovery Rate
The rate at which groundwater refills a well casing after the water level is drawn
down. This term is used to define the production rate of the well. (See Casing
and Drawdown.)
Safety Rope
Plastic rope used to secure the pump in case of pipe breakage.
Sealed Piston Pump
A type of pump recently developed for solar submersibles. The pistons have a
very short stroke, allowing the use of flexible gaskets to seal water out of the oilfilled mechanisms. (See Positive Displacement Pump.)
Self-Priming Pump
A pump that is able to draw some air suction in order to prime itself, at least in
theory. (See Priming.)
Solar Azimuth Angle
The azimuth angle of the sun relative to due south.
Solar Elevation Angle
The elevation angle of the sun, which is related to latitude and time of year. The
greater the latitude, the lower the solar elevation angle. The elevation angle is
greatest at summer solstice and least at winter solstice.
Solar Insolation
A measure of the solar radiation energy received on a given surface area in a

given time. Values for solar insolation are commonly expressed in watts per
2
square meter (W/m ) or kilowatt-hours per square meter per day
2
(kWh/(m day)). In the case of photovoltaics, it may be measured as kilowatthours per year per kilowatt peak rating (kWh/(kW p y). Solar insolation values are
dependent on latitude, time of year, and local conditions, such as cloud cover.
(See Kilowatts (kW), Kilowatt-Hours (kWh), and Watts (W).)
K - 63
Static Water Level

The depth to the water surface in a well under static conditions (when it is not
being pumped). It may be subject to seasonal changes or change after extended
pumping.
Submergence
As applied to submersible pumps, the distance beneath the static water level at
which a pump is set. Synonym: immersion level.
Submersible Cable
An electrical cable designed for in-well submersion. The conductor (wire) sizing
is specified in millimeters or (in the U.S.) by American Wire Gauge (AWG). (See
Wire Gage.)
Submersible Pump
A motor/pump combination designed to be placed entirely below the water

surface.
Submersible Splice
A waterproof splice made using special materials typically available in kit form.
(See Cable Splice.)
Suction Lift
As applied to surface pumps, the vertical distance from the surface of the water
supply to the pump. This distance should be no more than approximately 20 feet
at sea level (subtract 1 ft per 1,000 ft altitude) and should be minimized for best
results.
Surface Pump
A pump that is not submersible. It must be placed no more than about 20 ft

above the surface of the water in the well. (See Priming and Submersible Pump.)
Total Dynamic Head
Vertical lift + pressure head (psi/2.31) + friction loss in piping. It is sometimes

referred to as Pumping Head. (See Vertical Lift, Pressure, and Friction Loss.)
Vane Pump
A positive displacement mechanism used in low volume, high lift surface pumps
and booster pumps, also known as a rotary vane. It is durable and efficient,
but should be used only for pumping clean water due to its mechanical precision.
(See Booster Pump, Surface Pump, and Vertical Lift.)
Vertical Lift
The vertical distance that water is pumped.
Volts (V)
A measure of electric potential.
Voltage Drop
The drop in voltage within an electrical system due to electrical resistance and
losses in the system, including in the wires and controls. The voltage drop in a
conductor (wire) is directly related to the current (A), the size of the conductor,
and the type of conductor material. An allowable voltage drop may be specified
by the manufacturer and/or the National Electrical Code. (See Amperes (A) and
National Electric Code (NEC).)
Watts (W)
A measure of electric power. Watts = Volts x Amps.

1W=1VX1A
1,000 W = 1 kW
1 kW = 1.34 horsepower
1 horsepower = 746 W = 0.746 kW
The top of the well near ground level.
Wellhead
Well Seal
The top plate of a well casing that provides a sanitary seal and support for the
drop pipe and pump. (Alternative: See Pitless Adapter).
Wire Gage
The diameter of wire, including electrical wire. In the American Wire Gage
(AWG) system, the wire size decreases with an increasing AWG number. In the
metric wire gage scale, the wire size increases with an increasing metric wire
gage.
K - 64

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Technical Note No.

Design of Small Photovoltaic (PV) Solar-Powered Water Pump Systems

Issued October 2010

Technical Note No. 28, October 2010

Design of Small Photovoltaic (PV) Solar-Powered Water Pump Systems

This technical note was written by Teresa D. Morales, Oregon State

Technical Note No. 28, October 2010

Design of Small Photovoltaic (PV) Solar-Powered Water Pump Systems

The intent of this technical publication is to provide general guidance on

Technical Note No. 28, October 2010

SEASONAL AND LATITUDE VARIATION .......................................................................................................................5

PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) PANELS ........................................................................................................................ 6

ELECTRICITY BASICS ..............................................................................................................................................2

SOLAR RADIATION, SOLAR IRRADIANCE, AND SOLAR INSOLATION .............................................................. 3

Design of Small Photovoltaic (PV) Solar-Powered Water Pump Systems

PV PANEL ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS ..................................................................................................................6

STRUCTURE AND FOUNDATION CONSIDERATIONS ....................................................................................... 8

STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS FOR PV PANELS...................................................................................................................8

ELECTRICAL CONTROLLERS ......................................................................................................................... 10

SOLAR-POWERED PUMPS ........................................................................................................................... 11

DESIGN PROCESS ........................................................................................................................................ 14

PUMP SELECTION AND SYSTEM DESIGN ..................................................................................................................11

STEP 1 WATER REQUIREMENT ...........................................................................................................................14

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS .................................................................................................................. 19

Technical Note No. 28, October 2010

Design of Small Photovoltaic (PV) Solar-Powered Water Pump Systems

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES .......................................................................................................... 21

DESIGN EXAMPLES ................................................................................................................... 22

SOLAR INSOLATION VALUES FOR OREGON .............................................................................. 36

NREL APPROACH TO DETERMINING SOLAR INSOLATION VALUES ............................................ 46

FRICTION HEAD LOSS FOR SCHEDULE 40 PVC PLASTIC PIPE ...................................................... 56

SAMPLE WELL LOG ................................................................................................................... 57

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE FISH SCREENING CRITERIA .............................. 58

SOLAR PANEL WIRING .............................................................................................................. 60

GLOSSARY OF SOLAR-POWERED WATER PUMP TERMS ............................................................ 61

Technical Note No. 28, October 2010

Design of Small Photovoltaic (PV) Solar-Powered Water Pump Systems

TABLE 1 ELECTRICITY FOR NON-ELECTRICAL .........................................................................................................................2

Technical Note No. 28, October 2010

Design of Small Photovoltaic (PV) Solar-Powered Water Pump Systems

Photovoltaic (PV) panels are often used for

Figure 1 A typical solar-powered water pump system,

The principle components in a solar-powered

The PV array and its support structure,

It is important that the components be

The site-specific solar energy available

The following sections will first provide an

Technical Note No. 28, October 2010

1.0 Electricity Basics

Design of Small Photovoltaic (PV) Solar-Powered Water Pump Systems

Amperage refers to the movement or flow of

Table 1 Electricity for Non-Electrical

Voltage multiplied by amperage is the power

loss is also influenced by the wire material: a

It is important to be familiar with fundamental

Watts = Volts x Amps

Electrical energy is the amount of power

Another effective way to reduce electrical

Consequently, as indicated in Equations 1 and 2,