Optimum sizing and performance modeling of Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) water pumps for different climatic conditions

Abstract In this study, effect of irradiance and temperature variations on water output of Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) water pumps has been analyzed. A methodology has been proposed for the performance optimization of SPV pumps based on height of water table and operating point of the pump using most frequent conditions (MFC) of a site. The selection of optimum array sizing for a pump has been done based on the occurrence of desirable input power and subsystem efficiency at MFC. The effect of different array configurations on the performance of water pump using PVsyst software has also been studied. Most of pumps studied, are operating in the average subsystem efficiency range of 40–50%. AC submersible pumps are performing more efficiently and giving higher throughputs at 50 m head than DC submersible pump. Around 30 m head, 2 hp submersible DC pumps are performing better than 2 hp submersible AC pumps. AC pumps are showing subsystem efficiency in the range of 28–65% whereas DC pumps efficiency is in the range of 38–60%. For the performance optimization of SPV water pumping systems in real operating conditions, the MFC of radiation and temperature, water table height variations and operating point of a pump can be considered.