| It should first be noted that "solar powered | | | | alternative to windmills (particularly on still days) |
| pump" is actually a description of a two phase | | | | for remote area water supply. |
| process. You have 1: the actual pump and 2: an | | | | The most inexpensive solar powered pumps cost |
| energy source being powered by the sun, with a | | | | less than $1,500 while the larger systems can run |
| cable or wire connecting the two devices. Solar | | | | to over $20,000. Most PV water pumps rarely |
| powered pumps can be used to pump water for | | | | exceed 2 horsepower in size. A well installed |
| humans, livestock or plants. Since the need for | | | | quality PV water pumping systems can provide |
| water is greatest on sunny hot days the | | | | over 20 years of reliable and continuous service. |
| technology is an obvious choice for this application. | | | | Whilst it has been the needs of developing |
| Pumping water using solar powered technology is | | | | countries and agriculture that has initially driven the |
| simple, reliable, and requires almost no | | | | demand for solar powered pump technology, a |
| maintenance. | | | | greater environmental consciousness around the |
| To date the greatest use for solar powered | | | | world has seen many householders use solar |
| pumps has been in agriculture where the pumps | | | | powered pumps (rather than a less |
| can be used on remote farms and outback | | | | environmentally friendly internal combustion |
| stations to supply water to livestock. The | | | | engine) to create solar powered waterfalls or |
| remoteness is the key thing here as powering the | | | | solar powered fountains in a pond display. |
| pump by any means other than solar would be | | | | A solar powered pond, powered directly from |
| costly and inefficient. In a like manner, solar | | | | solar panels, will work whenever there is direct |
| powered pumps are used extensively in | | | | sunlight; the brighter the sun the stronger the |
| developing countries to pump water from wells | | | | flow. Some solar powered water fountains will |
| and rivers to villages for domestic consumption | | | | include a remote solar panel with enough wire that |
| and irrigation of crops. | | | | allows for the solar panel to be placed well away |
| A typical solar powered pumping system consists | | | | from the fountain. Solar power offers a great |
| of an array of Photo Voltaic (PV) cells that | | | | alternative when convenient electrical installation is |
| powers an electric motor, which drives a pump. | | | | not possible - as is often the case with gardens. |
| The water is often pumped from beneath the | | | | Decorative additions to a solar powered pond |
| ground or from a stream into a storage tank that | | | | display such as solar powered glowing frog lights |
| provides a gravity feed. No energy storage is | | | | and solar powered floating lily pad led lights can |
| needed for these systems (save from maybe a | | | | usually be purchased at the same place that you |
| rechargeable back-up battery source). Solar | | | | purchase your solar powered pump kit. |
| powered pumping systems are a cost-effective | | | | |