Design and Analysis of Solar Water Pumping for Salt Production in Indonesia

Abstract

Salt production farmers in Patutrejo Village, Purworejo Regency, spend nearly Rp. 10 million per year for diesel water pump operational costs. The cost of fuel is the heaviest financial burden for the farmers. Not only is it expensive, but fuel scarcity is also a serious issue causing the salt production capacity target cannot be assured, and the increasing demand for salt cannot be met. This study proposes using a solar water pump system (SWPS) as an alternative solution for the farmers to ensure and increase salt production. For a group of farmers in Patutrejo who require pumping around 35 m3 of seawater each day, a photovoltaic (PV) panel of 900 Wp and a DC pump of 700 Watt can perform the task sufficiently. The total capital cost of the SWPS is Rp. 90 million, with a simple payback period (SPP) of 9.5 years. The SPP would be shorter if future fuel price increases were taken into account. With a lifetime of up to 25 years, SWPS promises a long-term, practical, reliable, and sustainable solution for salt farmers in Patutrejo.