Evaluation of groundwater pumping with solar energy for irrigation practice in Tunisia using homer energy

In response to the increasing demand for water in irrigated areas, the use of groundwater pumping is emerging as a compelling alternative, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.However, the costs associated with fossil fuel based pumping systems, as well as their negative environmental impact through the emission of harmful gases, have prompted a shift towards renewable energy.The main objective of this study is to analyze and optimize the feasibility of a groundwater pumping system using different energy sources by HOMER Energy.A farmer in the Nabeul region (Chiba) was selected for an in-depth analysis of water demand and pumping station sizing.The evaluations showed that a 3 kW photovoltaic panel installation per hectare could sufficiently meet the irrigation water needs of this farmer.After optimizing the proposed pumping systems, including diesel generator (DG), photovoltaic (PV) and hybrid (DG + PV) panels, it was determined that the most economical and environmentally friendly solution was the hybrid system.This system produces a power output of 3.3 kW, with CO2 emissions in the order of 5.117 kg per year.HOMER software is a powerful tool for optimizing energy-efficient irrigation practices and assessing the best mix of renewable and conventional energy resources to meet specific needs.