Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar PV Water Pumping Schemes

Advantages

Low Operation costs since fuel is not needed and system run on sunlight
No dependency on erratic or expensive fuel chain supply (avoid also the risk of fuel theft)
Low regular maintenance requirements since solar panels and invertors have no moving parts
No pollution or noise produced
Extended lifetime (good quality solar panels are warrantied for 25yrs, invertors typically 6-8 years)

Capital costs typically higher than equivalent diesel solutions. However systems prices are increasingly dropping
Most of application need water storage typically larger than for equivalent diesel systems
Risk of theft of panels, that are still seen as a valuable commodity in some locations
System is dependent on solar radiation levels
Typically spare parts and knowledgeable technicians are only available at capital level