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On the feasibility of solar-powered irrigation

Author

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  • Kelley, Leah C.
  • Gilbertson, Eric
  • Sheikh, Anwar
  • Eppinger, Steven D.
  • Dubowsky, Steven

Abstract

Solar-powered agricultural irrigation is an attractive application of renewable energy. However, to be practical it must be both technically and economically feasible. Here, a method is presented for calculating the feasibility of photovoltaic-powered (PVP) irrigation. The feasibility is expressed as a function of location, which includes climate data, aquifer depth and cost, including local political policies such as carbon taxes. A discounted cash flow analysis is used to compare the lifecycle costs of photovoltaic-, diesel engine- and electrical grid-powered irrigation systems. Five examples illustrate the method's application. These results suggest that PVP irrigation is technically and economically feasible, provided that there is enough land available for the solar array.

Suggested Citation

  • Kelley, Leah C. & Gilbertson, Eric & Sheikh, Anwar & Eppinger, Steven D. & Dubowsky, Steven, 2010. "On the feasibility of solar-powered irrigation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(9), pages 2669-2682, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:14:y:2010:i:9:p:2669-2682
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Al-Smairan, Mohammad, 2012. "Application of photovoltaic array for pumping water as an alternative to diesel engines in Jordan Badia, Tall Hassan station: Case study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 4500-4507.
    2. Grant, Fiona & Sheline, Carolyn & Sokol, Julia & Amrose, Susan & Brownell, Elizabeth & Nangia, Vinay & Winter, Amos G., 2022. "Creating a Solar-Powered Drip Irrigation Optimal Performance model (SDrOP) to lower the cost of drip irrigation systems for smallholder farmers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
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    4. Rahman, Syed Mahbubur & Mori, Akihisa & Rahman, Syed Mustafizur, 2022. "How does climate adaptation co-benefits help scale-up solar-powered irrigation? A case of the Barind Tract, Bangladesh," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 1039-1048.
    5. Arsénio José Mindú & Jó António Capece & Rui Esteves Araújo & Armando C. Oliveira, 2021. "Feasibility of Utilizing Photovoltaics for Irrigation Purposes in Moamba, Mozambique," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-16, October.
    6. Zhu, Rui & Kondor, Dániel & Cheng, Cheng & Zhang, Xiaohu & Santi, Paolo & Wong, Man Sing & Ratti, Carlo, 2022. "Solar photovoltaic generation for charging shared electric scooters," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    7. Rahman, Syed Masiur & Khondaker, A.N., 2012. "Mitigation measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon capture and storage in Saudi Arabia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(5), pages 2446-2460.
    8. Pérez-Alonso, J. & Pérez-García, M. & Pasamontes-Romera, M. & Callejón-Ferre, A.J., 2012. "Performance analysis and neural modelling of a greenhouse integrated photovoltaic system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 4675-4685.
    9. Rubio-Aliaga, Á. & García-Cascales, M.S. & Sánchez-Lozano, J.M. & Molina-García, A., 2019. "Multidimensional analysis of groundwater pumping for irrigation purposes: Economic, energy and environmental characterization for PV power plant integration," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 174-186.
    10. de Andrade, Maurício Guy & Vilas Boas, Marcio Antonio & Siqueira, Jair Antonio Cruz & Dieter, Jonathan & Sato, Mireille & Hermes, Eliane & Mercante, Erivelto & Kazue Tokura, Luciene, 2017. "Statistical quality control for the evaluation of the uniformity of microsprinkler irrigation with photovoltaic solar energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 743-753.
    11. Gopal, C. & Mohanraj, M. & Chandramohan, P. & Chandrasekar, P., 2013. "Renewable energy source water pumping systems—A literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 351-370.
    12. Closas, Alvar & Rap, Edwin, 2017. "Solar-based groundwater pumping for irrigation: Sustainability, policies, and limitations," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 33-37.
    13. Hepbasli, Arif & Alsuhaibani, Zeyad, 2011. "A key review on present status and future directions of solar energy studies and applications in Saudi Arabia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(9), pages 5021-5050.
    14. Mekhilef, S. & Faramarzi, S.Z. & Saidur, R. & Salam, Zainal, 2013. "The application of solar technologies for sustainable development of agricultural sector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 18(C), pages 583-594.
    15. Carroquino, Javier & Dufo-López, Rodolfo & Bernal-Agustín, José L., 2015. "Sizing of off-grid renewable energy systems for drip irrigation in Mediterranean crops," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 566-574.

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