Optimization of Standalone Photovoltaic Drip Irrigation System: A Simulation Study

Sajjad Miran, Muhammad Tamoor, Tayybah Kiren, Faakhar Raza, Muhammad Imtiaz Hussain and Jun-Tae Kim
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Sajjad Miran: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Gujrat, Gujrat 50700, Pakistan
Muhammad Tamoor: Department of Electrical Engineering and Technology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
Tayybah Kiren: Department of Computer Science (RCET), University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore 54890, Pakistan
Faakhar Raza: Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Muhammad Imtiaz Hussain: Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
Jun-Tae Kim: Department of Architectural Engineering, Kongju National University, Cheonan 31080, Korea

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 14, 1-20

Abstract: This paper presents the optimal design of a photovoltaic (PV) drip irrigation system. Designing a PV system is based on calculated motor power, solar irradiance level and other meteorological parameters at a certain geographical location. Therefore, a simulation study of the designed PV system were performed by a PVGIS simulation tool. The PVGIS simulation tool analyzes the potential of power generation with optimal PV modules tilt angle and orientation on a monthly and annual basis, and an analysis of the overall shading situation (horizon) as well as the internal shading between the PV module rows. The selection of water pump and motor depends upon the depth of water table and desired discharge and head to operate the irrigation system. Furthermore, a locally developed Solar-Drip Simulation Tool (SoSiT) was used for load and supply optimization. Based on ambient temperature, solar irradiation and water requirements, SoSiT calculates net generation by a PV system and resultant water output of the irrigation system. The particular drip irrigation site has two zones; the maximum water requirement for zone 1 (row crop) is 50,918.40 Liters/day and for zone 2 (orchards) is 56,908.80 L/day. From PVGIS simulation results, the maximum daily energy production of the designed PV system was 6.48 kWh and monthly energy production was 201 kWh in the month of May. SoSiT results showed that the PV system fulfilled the required crop requirement by only using 28% of the potential water supply, and 72% of the potential water supply from a solar-powered pump was not used. This value is high, and it is recommended to grow more or different crops to utilize the fuel-free electricity from the PV system. The unit cost of PV-powered drip irrigation is USD 0.1013/kWh, which is 4.74% and 66.26% lower than the cost of subsidized electricity and diesel, respectively.

Keywords: photovoltaic system; variable frequency drive; drip irrigation systems; water pumping system; PVGIS; SoSiT; performance analysis; energy saving (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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