Ireland Solar Irrigation Pump Recommendations

Link solar pump subsidies to eficient irrigation: In highly water-stressed states, policy-makers can consider requiring farmers to irrigate eficiently in order to qualify for solar pump subsidies. This can include drip or sprinkler systems and the use of a water storage mechanism.

One of the main barriers to the uptake of solar-powered irrigation is that many farmers cannot aford the high upfront capital cost of a solar pump, even if it could save them money in the medium term.

Promotion of alternate revenue streams: Aside from using solar pumps for irrigation, farmers can generate additional revenue by using pumps for non-irrigation livelihood activities, such as micro-cold storage, if they are able to access USPC devices. MNRE has extended the subsidy for solar pumps under PM-KUSUM to include USPC devices.

As recommended by PM-KUSUM guidelines, combining solar pumps with micro-irrigation can, if operated properly, improve water use eficiency. SIAs can do this by targeting similar districts and beneficiaries— the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) Solar Pumps Tool can help identify such locations (see Section 4) (CEEW, n.d.).

Place SPS pump beside water source and insert the suction pipe into the water. Connect your outlet pipe delivering water to your tanks/troughs. Switch it on. The SPS solar pump is placed beside the water source (up to 5m above the level of water). It can be placed on a concrete surface/slab and bolted down if desired.

Eficient targeting is critical for sustainable social and environmental outcomes. Social: Many solar irrigation schemes, including PM-KUSUM, aim to benefit small and marginal farmers. But experience from past state schemes shows that disadvantaged groups are easily left out.