Design and Simulation of Solar Powered Water Pumping System for Irrigation Purpose in Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

Adequate irrigation of farm plants irrespective of the amount of rainfall due to seasonal variations is essential for a successful large scale farming system. In addition, the challenges of erratic electricity supply has made alternative power source for effective irrigation important. Consequently, this study designed and simulated a solar powered water pumping system for irrigation purposes. A hectare of pepper plantation was adopted as a case study in Kaduna, Nigeria. The study was carried out using a software package called PVSYST version 5.5. The result of the study predicted a pumping efficiency of 65.8%. Except for the months of April, May, June, July and August which usually fall within the rainy season and water is expected to be sufficient, the system predicted adequate water supply for pepper irrigation in other months where dearth of water is always experienced. It was concluded that: irrigation farming using solar powered water pumping system is feasible in Kaduna