Abstract

A SP-4-8 Gundfos eight stage 50 mm submersible pump was erected and its performance evaluated at 30 m head in Coimbatore district. The module (Model BHPV- 1230A) had an output of 30 W±10 per cent at solar intensity of 100mWcm². Data on solar intensity, PC module output and pump output were observed for a period of one year. The results revealed that the discharge was directly proportional to solar intensity. The efficiency of PV system in converting solar energy into direct electricity varied from 3.72 to 5.15 per cent up to 50 mWem solar radiation intensity, whereas it was 5.2 to 7.04 per cent beyond 50 mWem. The pump efficiency varied from 42 to 54 per cent, but maintained around 43 per cent. The average pump discharge was 1700/h during the two monsoon periods and 2200/h in summer and winter. The predicted water flow based on sunshine hours varied from 19.000 21,700/day in winter and 17,300 20.0001 day day in summer. The same during south west and north east monsoon periods were 7600 - 12,000 and 11,500 13.500/day respectively.

Keywords: Solar pump, P-V panel, Pump efficiency