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298 CHAPTER 9 Design Principles of Photovoltaic Irrigation Systems

Table 9.1 Recent Studies Regarding Photovoltaic (PV) Irrigation Systems
Author/s Country Summary
Pande et al. [14] India The average return period of PV irrigation facilities
was 6 years.
Bhave [15] India The economic profitability of PV irrigation was
demonstrated.
Chaurey et al. [16] India The actual performance of PV irrigation systems
working long time was analyzed.
Mahmoud and Egypt The higher efficiency of PV pumping systems
Nather [17] versus conventional pumping systems was proven.
Yu et al. [18] China The PV irrigation performance for the production of
grass was analyzed.
Al Ali et al. [19] Saudi Arabia Crop water requirements were optimized and an
automatic PV irrigation system was developed.
Mokeddem [20] Algeria The efficiency of PV direct pumping for small
irrigation farms was demonstrated.
Hamidat [21] Algeria The efficiency of PV direct pumping for small
irrigation farms was demonstrated.
Lo ´ pez-Luque Spain The profitability of PV irrigation for olive orchards
et al. [22] was analyzed and the concept of PV opportunity
irrigation (PVOI) was introduced.
Reca et al. [24] Spain The profitability and optimal design of PV irrigation
systems for greenhouse crops was analyzed.

2.1 ACCORDING TO THE TYPE OF POWERING PLANT
2.1.1 Stand-alone Plants
Stand-alone plants are those that are not connected to the grid and consist of PV
panels and, occasionally, a storage system that guarantees electric energy supply
when insolation is low or at nighttime. Because PV produces DC, an inverter is
necessary to convert the DC into AC.
Stand-alone plants are advantageous in isolated areas where the electrical grid is
not near, both from technical and economic points of view. They can efficiently
replace the generator sets powered by internal combustion engines.
One of the main issues that must be addressed in renewable energyebased irri-
gation system sizing is the seasonal demand pattern of crops [25] and the variability
of renewable energy production. To overcome this problem, some PV systems make
use of batteries to accumulate the electric energy produced by the PV system to
match energy production and demand [26]. However, the use of batteries has several
disadvantages, such as the increase in the investment costs of the system, the space
needed to store the batteries, and environmental concerns related to the disposal of
the batteries. In the case of PV irrigation plants, the use of batteries can be avoided
by storing the energy in the form of potential energy by pumping and accumulating
water in an elevated storage tank.