Simulation of Photovoltaic Water Pumping System for Small Scale Irrigation and Rural Electrification by Using PVsyst: Case of Madhicho, W/Harerghe, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Energy is one of the key factors for development of the country, and it can gain from different sources, but some of these sources are not environmentally friend, expensive and difficult to transport; like fossil fuel. Using solar energy is the best option to solve this problem. The objective of this study is Simulation of Photovoltaic water pumping system for small scale irrigation and rural electrification by using PVsyst soft-wares. The people living in grid connected system use electric powered pumping or diesel generator for pumping water, but people living in rural off-grid area can't get electric powered pump. Therefore this problem would be solved when they use solar photovoltaic pumping. In this work Madhicho is study area of this study is done at 9.14° latitude and 40.75° longitude. In this study analysis of PV water pump by using PVsyst or RET Screen Expert. Most of the time the major problem of solar PV water pumping system technology has been the wastage of energy in idle manner without using energy which is only used for target of specific purpose and time but in this research when no need of irrigation, the systems require batteries to store the sun's energy for use during summer periods. Total quantity of water required for irrigation is 145125liter per day the Pump power that can able to pump water from well to storage tank is 20kw the number of PV module to satisfy pump power is 55 and total energy produced from solar panel 22kw. Solar PV water pumping system can be reliably used at where absence of continuous local grid available where as solar PV and battery storage need is critical