Solar Irrigation

Solar Irrigation

Over the past decade, solar-powered irrigation pumps have established themselves as a viable and effective means for expanding access to irrigation. Early instances of large-scale adoption have been seen in South Asia – particularly India and Bangladesh – but solar pumps also have tremendous potential in rest of the world, particularly Sub Saharan Africa where irrigation coverage is limited.

Solar Powered Irrigation system (SPIS) have many advantages, providing a clean alternative to fossil fuels and enabling the development of low-carbon irrigated agriculture. In areas with no or unreliable access to energy, they contribute to rural electrification and reduce energy costs for irrigation. This improves the access to water of many farmers and can have knock-on effects on agricultural productivity and incomes.

SPIS offer a viable, low-tech energy solution for irrigated agriculture, providing a reliable source of energy in remote areas, contributing to rural electrification, reducing energy costs for irrigation and enabling low emission agriculture.

ISA’s first programme, Scaling Solar Applications for Agricultural Use (SSAAU) Programme mainly focuses on decentralized solar applications in rural settings. The key technologies covered under this programme include Solar Powered Irrigation Systems, Solar Drying, Solar Home/ Street Lighting Systems, Solar Chilling and other off-grid applications.

For decades, power supply for agriculture has been erratic and often available during the night time. By 2030, the shift to SWPs and grid-connected solar power plants will enable 40-50 gW of agricultural load to be shifted from night to day, aiding farmers with reliable daytime electricity.

Some countries are promoting SPIS in the framework of national action plans regarding climate change as a way to reduce emissions from agriculture.

Current solar pumping technology uses electronic systems and intelligent software, which have further increased the output power, performance and overall efficiency of SPIS

While technological improvements in solar panels and pumping systems will continue, it is important to focus on the institutional and ecosystem aspects of agricultural and irrigation value chains that will play a key role in expansion of solar irrigation and significantly contribute to maximizing their net positive outcomes.

Keeping the imperative for green irrigation expansion amidst climate change in mind, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and International Water Management Institute (IWMI) are conducting a webinar on “Institutionalisation of Backward and Forward linkages of Solar Irrigation” on 27th Jan 2021 at 16:30- 18:00 HRS. IST.

The objective of the webinar is to bring relevant stakeholders from ISA Member Countries to visualise and take a stock of the importance of these linkages which will encompass the direct and indirect benefits of “Solar Irrigation”.

Register here for the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cz8jzkd9Qfm_eH639b2BBQ

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