Optimal sizing of solar photovoltaic water pumping systems by synergizing irrigation patterns and static heads: A comprehensive study in the Indian context

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive analysis for sizing a solar photovoltaic-water pumping system (SPVWPS) for irrigation purposes. In India, these pumps are widely used for groundwater extraction. However, most of the irrigation sites in India are typically smaller than one hectare, and the available pump sizes often exceed the actual irrigation requirements. This discrepancy makes it challenging to utilize SPVWPS efficiently. The study introduces a new sizing indicator called the Irrigation Load Factor (ILF), similar to the load factor used in electrical systems. This indicator, along with the static head, significantly influences SPVWPS sizing and offers key insights for selecting suitable irrigation land. This approach is applied across fourteen agro-climatic zones in India. The design and simulation of SPVWPSs are done on PVsyst® 7.4.5 software while keeping missing water (< 5 %) and performance ratio (14.1 %-52.5 %) under different scenarios. The study explores a trade-off between selecting irrigation for larger community areas (more than 10 ha) and smaller isolated areas (1 ha or less). It finds that low ILF zones with low static heads are unsuitable for community irrigation due to larger land requirements, while high ILF zones with medium to high heads are more efficient for SPVWPS installation.