Basic Direct PV pumping

slurry bowl
slurry bowl Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭✭
in Solar Water Pumping #1
In front of an office building is a water "garden. It is roughly 50 feet long with 4 feet of elevation drop into a small catchment pool.
This water feature had been running on an AC pump and I was tasked with switching it to a direct PV pole-mounted set up.
There is no real requirement for G.P.M and the TDH is minimal (10 feet~).
We plan on mounting one or two panels onto the pole and using a pump that can be removed in winter.

Im looking for some examples of solutions.

Perhaps 1 or 2 Kyocera 140 watt module on the pole could feed a simple pump.

Any ideas?

Thanks
· Share on Twitter

Comments

  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    #2
    Re: Basic Direct PV pumping

    You really need to find a pump motor first.

    Submersibles, more or less, from less expensive to most expensive:

    http://shurflo.com/marine-products/bilge-pumps
    http://www.solarpumps.com/products.html
    http://www.solar-electric.com/wind-and-water-products/sodcwapu/shacdcwapu/9300parts.html
    http://www.solar-electric.com/wind-and-water-products/sodcwapu/sun-pumps.html
    http://www.solar-electric.com/wind-and-water-products/sodcwapu/grsoposuwapu.html

    The first one is a marine bilge pump... Depending on exactly what you want and how much you want to pay--That may be the answer for your needs. $800-$2,000+ solar well pumps (with lots of pressure capability) is not really going to do it (price wise).

    Some folks here may have other pumps to recommend too (I am not a pump expert by any means--Just a range of solutions).

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
    · Share on Twitter
  • tmarch
    tmarch Solar Expert Posts: 143 ✭✭
    #3
    Re: Basic Direct PV pumping

    A solar pond pump like those used for fountains in ponds will likely move enough water and be a less expensive solution. I bought one for my wife that uses a 12 volt panel measuring about a foot square and it will move over 5 gallons a minute easily. The thing you have to be careful of with a pump designed for pumping from a well is that ponds catch a lot of debris that can ruin a pump designed to pump clean water.
    · Share on Twitter
  • slurry bowl
    slurry bowl Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭✭
    #4
    Re: Basic Direct PV pumping

    Thanks.

    I will explore the SHURFLO 380 and 9300.

    When I search for cheaper pond fountain pumps, it seems I find pumps that are too cheap, amazon crap for 18$. I have budgeted enough $ for a pump, panel, controller, and pole mount of some integrity. Any ideas for where to find a package?

    Thanks.
    · Share on Twitter
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    #5
    Re: Basic Direct PV pumping

    You could call our host NAWS (Northern Arizona Wind & Sun)... I am not in the business.

    This is a listing of companies that may make DC/off grid pumps:

    http://greenindustryresource.com/category/solar/solar-pumps.html

    You can take a look through these and see if there is anything interesting.

    Most of the pumps I suggested are probably overkill--But if you want rugged/reliable for DC powered pumps, it is not going to be cheap (as you know).

    Stay away from brushed motors if you can... They are not going to last more than a year or so under sun power (replace brushes, or worse).

    This companies are known for decent (or better) pumps:

    SHURflo
    Lorentz
    Sunmotor International
    Conergy
    Grundfos
    Conergy

    Not to say other companies are bad--I just am not in the business.

    Note that NAWS does sell some of these pumps, but may not sell the entire product lines (due to how distribution agreements work).

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
    · Share on Twitter
  • icarus
    icarus Solar Expert Posts: 5,436 ✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: Basic Direct PV pumping

    Shurflo submersible, runs on 12 or 24 vdc, great reliable pump, a bit spendy but it should last and is easily rebuildible.

    Tony
    · Share on Twitter
  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #7
    Re: Basic Direct PV pumping

    Just popped in for a minute, not sure how much water flow you need, and you don't appear to either, but we had a recent thread about using an inexpensive water pump for hydroponics (I think). I had purchased one and had nice flow running directly off a 50 watt panel, I think it only had about 12-15 gallons an hour flow... I still have the pump in my eBay cue, I'll PM you a link tomorrow.
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
    · Share on Twitter
  • tmarch
    tmarch Solar Expert Posts: 143 ✭✭
    #8
    Re: Basic Direct PV pumping
    slurry bowl wrote: »
    Thanks.

    I will explore the SHURFLO 380 and 9300.

    When I search for cheaper pond fountain pumps, it seems I find pumps that are too cheap, amazon crap for 18$. I have budgeted enough $ for a pump, panel, controller, and pole mount of some integrity. Any ideas for where to find a package?

    Most packages will not come with a pole mount or racking, but the smaller modules aren't hard to fabricate a pole mount for. I messaged you with the information on the package I have.
    · Share on Twitter

Categories