Solar irrigation is the use of the sun’s energy to power the pump used during irrigation. In the past, solar irrigation was mostly used in areas where there was no electricity but in recent times where most people have access to electricity, solar irrigation is still being widely used both for domestic and agricultural use.
When it comes to irrigation, farmers prefer use of solar pumps other than petrol or electricity. When farmers use solar technology for watering crops and plants, it becomes simpler and cleaner. Connecting pumps to solar power is becoming common. The power produced from solar panels or any other source feeds pumps and motors in the fields.
Below are the reasons why use of solar is beneficial to farmers;
1. It is environmentally friendly
Apart from watering the crops everyday, solar energy is also known to be environmentally friendly. Unlike some energy sources such as petrol and diesel, solar power does not emit greenhouse gasses. We all know that greenhouse gasses have wreaked some serious havoc on the ozone layer for the past several decades.
Solar irrigation is also ideal because it doesn’t generate much noise as is the case with generators. Finally, solar energy doesn’t require that much water for maintenance purposes. This means you’ll end up saving on the water which can be used to irrigate your crops.
2. It’s Free
Solar power is free of cost. If we consider diesel or petrol, you have to buy it every time it gets finished. While you are supposed to pay the electricity bill every month. But there is nothing like that in the case of solar power. All you need is to have solar panels installed on your farm, and you’re good to go. Also, make sure you’re investing in the best quality solar panels installed by a seasoned expert.
3. It is a better alternative to electricity
Farmers who use electricity to run their irrigation systems know exactly how inconveniencing an impromptu blackout can be. Since generators are quite expensive to both run and maintain, solar energy is often seen as the perfect, most effective alternative. This is because it not only runs on sunlight, which is free, but the system is also quite straight forward from an operational standpoint.
4. It creates employment opportunities
There are businesses within your locality that deal exclusively in solar panels and everything about them. So if you use solar energy to run your irrigation systems, then you’ll be creating jobs for the people who run such businesses as well as their employees. Apart from buying the solar panels from these businesses, your solar irrigation systems will also need regular maintenance; all of which can also be sourced from the same companies.
5. It is very efficient
Since your solar panels for your solar irrigation systems will be installed in the farm, you can rest assured that 100% of the energy generated will be used for irrigation as well as other useful purposes. Besides avoiding energy wastage, you also won’t have to incur any of the supply costs, which is usually the case with electricity. Also, due to the short distance solar energy covers from the panels to the systems, you can always count on the irrigation systems to run a bit more efficiently.
6. Saves on national revenue
Solar power conserves foreign energy expenditures. In many countries, a large percentage of earnings is used to pay for imported oil for power generation. As oil supplies dwindle and prices rise in this politically unstable region, these problems continue to catalyze the expansion of solar power and other alternative-energy systems.
7.Low Maintenance
Solar energy does not require a lot of maintenance once installed. Solar panels are durable and do not require a lot of upkeep other than being cleaned a couple of times per year. Since there are no moving parts on solar energy technology (e.g. solar panels), they are not prone to wear and tear and do not produce noise. The lifespan of solar panels is estimated to be over 30 years.
8. It is easy to install
Solar power can be easily set up and operated from anywhere globally as long as the sunlight reaches there. Furthermore, it allows all types of farmers to customize the irrigation system according to their needs. A small-scale irrigation system can be set up with very less initial investment cost, which can be upgraded later as per the requirement.
9. Multi-Purpose Application
The energy generated from the solar irrigation system isn’t limited to irrigation purposes only. When there is no need for irrigation, the surplus solar energy can be used for other purposes, like running mills, water filtration plants, cold storage units, etc. The excess power can also be sold to the power company by connecting to the electricity grid.
Conclusion
As a farmer who’s motivated to harvest maximum yield, it’s essential to always look for better ways of farming. One of these ways is by installing solar irrigation systems, that’s if you haven’t already. By doing so, you’ll not only be cutting down your utility costs and improving the efficiency of the irrigation systems due to energy wastage. The environment will also be spared for reasons already mentioned above. Initially, the installation of a solar irrigation system will cost you. However, you’ll be pleased with the long-term effects.
To get more information on solar energy, panels, pumps and also the installation, contact Mazero Agrifood on 0729777711 and let’s embrace sustainable farming.