Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
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affordability of the farmers
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alternate use of renewable energy
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propensity of the user to invest in renewable energy
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promotional activity
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government subsidy
Availability of the renewable energy may vary considerably from one technologi-
cal option to another, while the issues concerning the remaining factors are expected
to be more or less common.
13.10.1 Groundwater Requirement and Its Availability
As surface water irrigation is usually the cheapest option for irrigation, farmers
having access to sufficient surface water for irrigation may not choose any other
options. Therefore, the areas in a country with surface water availability should
not be included in estimating potential area for solar pumping. On the other hand,
for groundwater use, the area can be considered where groundwater table is within
specific depth. For example, a centrifugal pump coupled with a solar photovoltaic
(SPV) array is considered for shallow well water pumping. The maximum suction
head for such a pump is about 7 m. The SPV system with a submersible pump is
capable of deep-well irrigation pumping up to about 65 m. But such deep-well irri-
gation pumping may not always be economical. Thus, the SPV water pumping for
irrigation is limited in areas with groundwater table less than 10 m. Similarly, the
water output of commonly available windmill pumps is low for a head of more than
20 m. Water table at the end of dry season (pre-monsoon period) should be used for
comparison and interpretation.
13.10.2 Affordability of the User
The average annual cost associated with the renewable energy pumping system
(installation, repair, and maintenance) should be comparable with the user's annual
income from agriculture and should be within the affordable limit. As the capital
cost is required at the initial time, a fraction of the capital cost may be provided as
capital subsidy by the government.
13.10.3 Willingness of the User to Invest in a Renewable Energy
Based Pump
The propensity of the user to invest in a renewable energy based pump depends on
the awareness and knowledge of the user about the technology for water pumping
and also on the availability, reliability, and easiness of conventional options to him.
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