Design of a Solar PV Water Pumping System for Small-Scale Farming Along the Calueque-Oshakati Canal in Namibia

Small-scale farmers along the canal usually use the diesel engine for the water pumping system which is associated with environmental concerns as a result of the gasses emission into the atmosphere and oil spillages. However, the diesel water pumping system is not economical because of the required extensive maintenance and constant fuel supply, and this has led to an increase in the system’s overall operational costs. In this current study, a design of a solar water pumping system for the small-scale farm along the Calueque-Oshakati canal was conducted out based on the daily water requirements of 15 m3 per hectare per day. The total dynamic head (TDH) was used to calculate an appropriate water pumping power that can meet the water requirement in the shortest possible time. A Crystalline Silicon [AC-270P/156-60S], 270 WP solar panel was been selected based on cost and efficiency for this design. Using a 5-year economic analysis period, it was determined that a solar water pumping system will be more cost-effective as compared to a diesel water pumping system. Thus, replacing the diesel water pumping system with a solar water pumping system for the small-scale farm along the Calueque Oshakati canal is the solution with economic and functional benefits.