Numerical and experimental investigation of a solar pump operated by photovoltaic modules

Abstract Background Traditionally, irrigation in agricultural fields relies on diesel-powered pumps, which are not only environmentally harmful but also impose a significant financial burden on farmers due to rising fuel costs. These elevated operational expenses often reduce profit margins, particularly for small-scale cultivators. To address these economic and ecological challenges, this study investigates the integration of a 5-kW photovoltaic-powered water pumping system as a sustainable alternative to diesel-based irrigation. Both numerical simulations and experimental validation were conducted to assess system performance. The system components, including the pump, controller, solar array configuration, and auxiliary water storage tank, were selected based on the cultivated crop type and field area. System performance was simulated using PVsyst 6.3.1 2017 software. For experimental validation, a fully functional prototype installed at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, MJP Rohilkhand University, Bareilly (28.21°N, 79.46°E), was utilized. Wheat, the predominant crop in this region, served as the basis for performance evaluation. Results Simulation results revealed an average performance ratio of 0.829, with a total energy generation of 6,901.7 kWh, and a total water output of 25,651 m 3 – adequately meeting the irrigation demands. An optimization analysis within PVsyst identified the ideal panel orientation parameters as 0° azimuth, 30° tilt angle, and 10 m pitch distance. Under these optimized conditions, the system achieved an effective solar irradiance of 1,895 kWh/m 2 , a total array output of 15.6 MWh, and minimal shading losses limited to 35 kWh. Conclusions Future research should be based on comprehensive life-cycle economic and environmental assessments of solar photovoltaic pumping systems, particularly under varying climatic and operational conditions. Further investigations may include detailed analysis of long-term maintenance costs, system reliability, energy storage integration, and CO₂ emission reduction throughout the entire service life of the system. In addition, studies on improving overall system efficiency and reducing the initial installation cost could enhance the large-scale adoption of solar pumping technology for sustainable water supply applications.