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)

Disadvantages

  • 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
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