Page 162 - Solar Power in Building Design The Engineer's Complete Design Resource

132 SOLAR POWER GENERATION PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

involves fastening a pipe to the pump and placing the unit in a water pond, lake, well,
or river. The output of the solar panel is connected to the pump, and the panel is then
pointed toward the sun and up comes the water. The pumps are generally lightweight
and easily moved and are capable of yielding hundreds of gallons per day at distances
of over 200 ft above the source. The pumps are of a rugged design and are capable of
withstanding significant abuse without damage even if they are run in dry conditions
for a short time.
In some instances the pumping systems can be equipped with a battery bank to store
energy, in which case water can be pumped at any time, morning, noon, or night and
on cloudy days. The system could also be equipped with simple float switch circuitry
that will allow the pumps to operate on a demand basis. The solar pumping system just
described requires very little maintenance. Figure 5.13 depicts a submersible solar
water pump in a rural Philippine village.

Figure 5.13 Submersible solar water pump in a
rural Philippine village. Photo courtesy of WaterWorld & Power Corp.