16 07 These1

DSpace Institution
DSpace Repository http://dspace.org

Energy Center Thesis and Dissertations
2020-03-17
Feasibility study for replacing the

existing diesel water pumping by PV
solar water pumping system based on
economic analysis(in case of Gallessa village)
Kebede, Ethiopia
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/10440
Downloaded from DSpace Repository, DSpace Institution's institutional repository
BAHIR -DAR UNIVERSITY IT SCHOOL OF RESEARCH AND POSTGRADUATE STUDIES BAHIR DAR ENERGY CENTER
BAHIR DAR UNIVERSITY

BAHIR DAR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
SCHOOL OF RESEARCH AND POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
BAHIR DAR ENERGY CENTER
FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR REPLACING THE EXISTING DIESEL

WATER PUMPING BY PV SOLAR WATER PUMPING SYSTEM BASED
ON ECONOMIC ANALYSIS(IN CASE OF GALLESSA VILLAGE)
By:
Ethiopia Kebede
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

October, 2018
i
Feasibility study for replacing the existing diesel water pumping by PV solar
water pumping system based on economic analysis(in case of Gallessa village)
By
Ethiopia Kebede
A thesis submitted to the School of Research and Graduate Studies of Bahir- Dar Institute
of Technology, BDU in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of
Science in Sustainable Energy Engineering in Bahir Dar Energy Centre.
Advisor: Dr .Tassaw Tadiwos
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
October, 2018
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First and for most I would like to thank the almighty God for helping me to realize this
research to this stage. Next my special thanks and appreciation goes to my advisor
Dr.TassawTadiwos for his supervision and motivational encouragement as well as for his
unreserved advice; skillful contribution to do careful comments throughout this thesis
work. Next my special thanks and appreciation goes to Bahir-Dar University Institute of
Technology Energy Centre for their provision of supportive working environment in
which I was able to do my thesis entitled “Feasibility study for replacing the existing
diesel water pumping by photovoltaic water pumping system based on economic analysis
(in case of Gallessa village);Finally I give my heartfelt thanks to my family and friends
for their unwavering support and encouragement that they have given tome.
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ABSTRACT
Solar Photovoltaic water pumping systems are the latest technologies with availability of
solar insulation and enough underground water sources combined together to pumping
water from underground which provided cleans drinking water for off-grid rural area.
The Feasibility study to replacing the existing diesel water pumping by photovoltaic
water pumping system based on economic analysis was conducted using PVsyst 6.73
software for Gallessa village with the input parameters were solar radiation data was
obtained from NASA meteorological agency website and the PVsyst software online
meteorological data. To replace the existing Diesel water pumping it required 26 and 36
units of modules for both without battery coupled (Direct Coupled PV system by using
submersible pump) at investment cost 39,669.95$ at 6.6years payback period and for
battery coupled (AC-mullity stage Centrifugal pump) PV water pumping system at
investment cost 50,030.26$ at 8.3years payback period and, similarly 7181.22$ for the
exits diesel water pump respectively. Finally the Financial comparisons for whole were
conducted based on life cycle cost and life cycle saving method. For both direct and
alternative solar Photovoltaic water pumping system taken assumed 20 years life span,
1% for maintenance cost each year and 5% salvage value from total Capital cost
respectively and for Diesel system assumed 10 years life span, 10% maintenance cost
each year and 20% salvage value. Based on these assumptions the life cycle cost were
46,670.44$, 61,666.32$ and 176,209.5$ for system without battery coupled, with battery
coupled solar PV water pumping and for diesel generator water pumping system
respectively.
Key word: PV water pumping, Diesel water pumping, Economic analysis, PVsyst Software.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION ........................................................................................................................ iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................... v
ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................ vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS........................................................................................................... vii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOL.......................................................................... ix
LIST OF FIGURE ...................................................................................................................... xi
LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................................... xii
CHAPTER ONE .......................................................................................................................... 1
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................ 1
1.2. Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Objective of the study ............................................................................................................ 5
1.3.2 Specific Objectives ............................................................................................................. 5
1.4. Scope of the study ................................................................................................................. 5
1.5 Significance of the study ........................................................................................................ 5
CHAPTER TWO ......................................................................................................................... 7
2. LITRATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................................... 7
2.1 Power source for water pumping ........................................................................................... 7
2.2 Water-pumping Using Renewable Energy Technology ........................................................ 9
2.3 Solar PV Water Pumping System in Ethiopia ..................................................................... 11
2.4 Energy Output and Load .................................................................................................... 12
2.5. Type tracking system for solar panels................................................................................. 13
2.6 Solar photovoltaic in Ethiopia ............................................................................................. 14
2.7 Components of PV system ................................................................................................... 15
2.7.2 Power Conditioner ............................................................................................................ 18
2.7.3 Motor and Pump ............................................................................................................... 19
2.8 Performance and Measured Data ......................................................................................... 20
CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................................... 21
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS ........................................................................................... 21
3.1 Description of the project area ............................................................................................. 21
3.2 Water Source...................................................................................................................... 22
3.3 .Method of Data Collection.................................................................................................. 23
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3.4. Solar resource and photovoltaic system .............................................................................. 23

3.5. Daily water requirement ..................................................................................................... 26
3.6 Determine Total Dynamic Head ........................................................................................ 27
3.7 Determine the hydraulic power requirement ....................................................................... 28
3.8. Determine size of pump and motor power .......................................................................... 28
3.9. Sizing PV array ................................................................................................................... 30
3.10. Sizing of pump controller ................................................................................................. 32
3.10.1 Inverter .......................................................................................................................... 32
3.10.2 Battery Bank ................................................................................................................... 35
3.10.4. Direct coupled solar water pumping system .................................................................. 40
3.10.5 Battery coupled solar water pumping system ................................................................. 41
3.11. Solar PV water pumping system software overview ........................................................ 43
3.12 Economic Analysis ............................................................................................................ 44
3.14 Life-cycle savings (LCS) ................................................................................................... 45
3.15 .Payback period .................................................................................................................. 46
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION .............................................................................................. 47
4.1 Simulation result of the software ......................................................................................... 47
4.2 Economic analysis of SPVWPS........................................................................................... 49
4.2.1 Cost of water ..................................................................................................................... 51
4.3. Financial comparison of SPVWPS and Diesel powered system ........................................ 52
CHAPTER FIVE ....................................................................................................................... 56
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................... 56
5.1. Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 56
5.2 Recommendations .............................................................................................................. 57
6. REFERANCES ...................................................................................................................... 58
APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................... 61
Appendix 1 geographical site parameters .................................................................................. 61
Appendix 2 water needs and hydraulic pressure ........................................................................ 62
Appendix 4 pumping system definition and PV module ........................................................... 65
Appendix 5 Economic evaluation .............................................................................................. 68
Appendix Inverter ...................................................................................................................... 70
viii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOL
AC Alternating current
AM After median
AWG American Wire Gauge
BG Benishangul Gumuz
BGRS Benishangul Gumuz Regional State
BWG British Wire Gauge
CO2 Carbon dioxides
DC Direct current
DP Diesel pump
DWPS Diesel water pumping system
ETB Ethiopian birr
HI Global horizontal radiation
GoE Government of Ethiopia
GTP Growth and transformation plan
IGBT Insulated gate bipolar transistor
KWp Kilowatt peak
LCC Life cycle cost
LCS Life Cycle Saving
MOSFET Metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor
MPP Maximum power point
NASA National Aeronautics and Space administration
NGO Nongovernmental organization
NP Payback period
NPV Net Presence Value
PM Pre median
PV Photovoltaic
PVP Photovoltaic pump
PVS Photovoltaic system
PVsyst Photovoltaic system study
PVWPS Photovoltaic water pumping system
PWM Pulse width modulation
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Q Flow rate (m3)

RET Renewable Energy Technology
RWIEB Regional Water irrigation and Energy Development
SDG Sustainable Development Goal
SHS Solar house system
SPV Solar photovoltaic
SPVWPS Solar photovoltaic water pumping system
SWG Standard Wire Gauge
Ta Means daily temperature of the air
TDH Total dynamic head
USD United states dollar
VAR Reactive power
VAT Value Added Tax
WASHCOM Water Sanitation and Hygiene Community Member
WWNE Woreda water mining and Energy Development office
Measurement
KWh Kilowatt- hour

M2 Meter square
M3 Cubic meter
MW Mega watt
V Voltage
W Watt
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LIST OF FIGURE
Figure 2.1 Schematic diagram of solar water pump……………….. .......................…... 11

Figure 2.2 Parallel connection of PV modules…………………….………….….……...17
Figure2.3 Series connection of PV modules……………………………………………..18
Figure 3.1: Inputs and outputs PVsyst …………….…….…………………………..….21
Figure 3.2 the exist borehole……………………………………………………………..22
Figure 3.3 Maps of B/G/R/S/ Debatie Woreda………………..…………….….……….22
Figure 3.4 monthly (a) and Hourly solar irradiation data for Gallessa Village...……......25
Figure 3.5 Monthly average solar radiation profiles for Gallessa Village ...…....……… 26
Figure 3.6 Schematic total vertical lift diagram…………………….…….……….…......27
Figure 3.7 Effect of incident irradiance at constant temperature on
PV modules I-V characteristics………………………………………….….…..………29
Figure3.8. Power input (DC) output (AC) efficiency of inverter (A)
KVAC at 50C0 the temperature……………………………………………………......34
Figure 3.9 Capacity VS Discharge current for selected battery (a) and
Realistic model with DOD loss………………………….…….………….…..…………36
Figure 3.10 Series –Parallel Arrangements of battery for PV
Water pumping system …............................................................................................37
Figure 3.11 illustrated the specific application of charge
Control on selected batteries……………….……………………….……….….……38
Figure 3.12 Components of DC motor PV water pumps system................................…...41
Figure 3.13 Schematic structure Components of AC motor PV water pumps system…..42
Figure3.14 Pump model behavior; Flow rate verse Electrical power of fixed head……..43
Figure 4.1 Energy balance of Gallessa village.................................................................. 48
Figure 4.2: Energy balance of battery coupled PV system …...........................................49
Figure 4.4 Financial comparisons of PVWPS and DWPS............................................... 55
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 3.1 Solar irradiance data of Gallessa...................................................................... 24

Table 3.2 PV modules efficiency relative to each other…………………………………29
Table 3.3 Technical character tic of module for PV sizing……………….……………..32
Table 3.4 Technical specification for inverter selection………………………………....34
Table3.5 Basic Simulation input parameters for both (DCAC pump) …......................39
Table 4.1 Simulation result of PVsyst for both system.....................................................47
Table 4.2 Cost of the PVWPS for both system ................................................................50
Table 4.3 Assumptions for the SPVWPS and the existing DWPS……………………....51
Table 4.4 Summary of Economic evaluation using PVsyst software .............................. 52
Table 4.5 Summary of Advantage and Disadvantage of PVWPS……………………….52
Table 4.6 Financial comparison of SPV and DP system using LCC analysis………...... 55
xii
CHAPTER ONE
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Water resources are essential for satisfying human needs, ensuring food production, and
the restoration of ecosystems, key factor for social and economic development as well as
for sustainable development. However, according to UN(2013),World water development
report, it has been estimated that two billion people were affected by water shortages in
over forty countries, and 1.1 billion did not have sufficient clean drinking water. There is
a great and urgent need to supply environmentally sound technology for the provision of
drinking water. Remote water pumping systems are the main component in meeting this
need because most of the peoples in developing countries are living in off-grid area [1].
For many years, fossil fuels have been used as major energy source for water pumping in
different rural areas of Ethiopia. But due to its high CO2 emission to the atmosphere and
high running cost, fossil fuels have negative impact on socio-economic and environment.
For this reason, it is necessary to find out other alternative technologies more versatile
and tolerant with the environment which has low emissions of CO2 [3]. There are various
types of renewable energies depending on what sort of energy source is used, such as,
solar, hydro-power, wind, biomass, Geothermal, nuclear and many more.
In terms of current situation of energy in Ethiopia, Populations size 99.39 million(2016
,world bank),Per capita electricity consumption less than 100 kWh/a from 2002 to 2006,
average annual electricity demand grew by 13%,but present growth rate greater than 20%
,Geographic access to electricity grid –55%, Electrified towns ~ 6,000,Customers more
than 2 million, but over 14 million Ethiopian rural households demand for solar under
those Ethiopian getting from hydro power potential 45,000MW at current situation
3,810MW(<5%) with GTPII- 11,015MW planned, from wind potential 1,350MW at
current situation 324 MW(<1%) at 1,520MW GTPII planned from Solar potential
5.5KWh/sq. at current 7MW,(among these <100,000 SHS and <1000000 lanterns) (<1%)
,with GTPII planned 300MW grid connected ,off-grid 3.6miliun laterns,4,000SHS from
geothermal(<1%) ,from wood(50%) and from agricultural waste (30%) are main energy
source in current energy consumption[4]; Thus; Population lives without access of
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electricity the possible technologies for producing off-grid options include fossil fuel-
based technologies such as diesel generators, or renewable sources such as photovoltaic
or wind power.
Water pumping has a long history and many methods have been developed to pump
water with a minimum effort. These have utilized a variety of power sources, including
human, animal, wind, solar, hydropower and fossil fuels. Historically pumping from
boreholes in Ethiopian off-grid areas has been predominantly achieved with Diesel
generators. Diesel water pumping systems became more attractive during the second half
of the twentieth century with the development of the fuel supply infrastructure and the
technology to allow Diesel driven engines to pump water from boreholes. Diesel pumps
have the advantage of pumping water on demand, also in varying daily discharge,
depending on the operating times and over high heads. Diesel engines have a fairly low
capital cost but higher operation costs because it relies on fossil fuel cost variations and
exchange rate fluctuations. Furthermore, Diesel engines require regular maintenance
which is linked to the hours of operation and have a fairly short life. Hand pumps are
used for pumping water from shallow wells particularly in the communal areas. These are
rugged devices which are easy to maintain and have low capital cost [5].
Solar pumping systems offer a clean and simple alternative to fuel-burning engines and
generators for domestic water, livestock and irrigation. Solar pumps are most effective
during dry and sunny seasons and require no fuel deliveries, minor maintenance, easy to
install, naturally matched with solar radiation as usually water demand increases during
summer when solar radiation is a maximum, and less expensive than other alternative
sources of energy such as windmills. Solar energy technologies have a long history.
Between 1860 and the First World War, arrange of technologies were developed to
generate steam, by capturing the sun‟s heat, to run engines [6].
Solar PV cells were invented at Bell Labs in the United States in 1954, and they have
been used in space satellites for electricity generation since the late 1950s (Hoodwink,
2004). The years immediately following the oil-crisis in the seventies much interest has
been seen in the development and commercialization of solar energy technologies.
However, this development of solar energy industry of the 1970s and early 80s collapsed
due to the sharp decline in oil prices and a lack of sustained policy support (Bradford,
2006)[6].Solar energy markets have regained momentum since early 2000, showing a
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phenomenal growth recently. Solar energy has experienced a remarkable technological

shift. While early solar technologies consisted of small-scale photovoltaic cells, recent
technologies are represented by concentrated solar power and also by large-scale PV
systems that feed into electricity grids [7].
When sunlight strikes solar cell surface, the cell creates charge carrier as electrons and
holes. The internal field produced by junction separates some of positive charges (holes)
from negative charges to increase current and the modules are connected in an array
depending on current or voltage requirement to give high power. Solar photovoltaic
systems require other components in addition to solar modules. These components are
specially designed to integrate into solar PV system [6].
Among several sources of renewable energy currently explored, photovoltaic systems
appear to be promising in view of their environmentally clean nature and the advantage
of direct conversion to electrical energy. The sun provides almost all the energy needed
that supports life. The challenge for a sustainable future is to tap a tiny fraction of this
energy to supply the relative modest demands of human activities. Isolated regions,
where connection to the utility grid is highly expensive, if not technically affordable,
have found in solar energy an excellent solution to their needs [8].
The availability of abundant renewable resources makes RETs very competitive for water
pumping in rural areas of developing countries, where fossil fuels are expensive and it is
usually challenging to extend the grid. Reviewed and summarized over a hundred
renewable energy water pumping systems used for both irrigation and domestic use and
found that solar photovoltaic followed by wind energy are the mostly widely used RETs
for water pumping[9]. They concluded that RETs play a vital role in reducing
consumption of conventional energy sources and their environmental impacts are
negligible [14].
In Ethiopia, 85% of the population live in rural areas and 15% lives in urban. According
to the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTPII 2015), the drinking water supply
coverage is 65.8% (69.5% urban and 62% rural) [5, 15]. Also, the lack of safe drinking
water is still an issue to be solved in many developing countries, especially in rural areas.
Different researches have been carried out and their results show that, renewable energies
are the best alternative energy sources to replace the fossil energy.
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1.2. Statement of the Problem
Majority of population in rural area of Ethiopia are off-grid electricity. Due to dispersed
settlements of population, low user charges with high transmission cost and high
distribution losses, lower technical and operational problem and as well as lack of access
of road and so on. Particularly those populations lived in rural area of Benshagul Gumuz
Region state in Debatie woreda at Gallessa villages are still now live without any electric
system and gets water for domestic consumption from traditional hand-pump,
unprotected springs and rivers etc. As result mostly population special children faced to
water born disease and influenced health and productive community as well as social-
economic growth of population lived here, but since 2008 E.C they were used diesel
Generator water pumping system. However; the selected area was far from sub-station,
absences of skilled man power to maintained and supervise schemes periodical; poor
availability of spare part in the nearby areas (market); unreliable water supply which
enforced people to a long journey to fetch water and that social and environmental
impacts were major problems that initiated to the Feasibly study to replace existed
diesel water pump by solar PV water pumping system based on Economic analysis.
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1.3 Objective of the study
1.3.1 General Objective
The main objective this thesis is Feasibility study to replacing the existing diesel water
pumping by PV solar water pumping system based on economic analysis (in case of
Gallessa village)
1.3.2 Specific Objectives
• To Perform the techno-economic analysis of the Solar PV water pumping system

• To analyzed the supply water requirement and solar cell performance.
• To simulated the economic viability and Solar PV water pumping system.
• To analysis solar PV cell collector.
Research question
 Can photovoltaic solar power sufficiently meet the power requirements currently placed
on water pumping?
 How does the Solar PV water pumping system compared with other water pumping
technology based on their environmentally and social-economic analysis?
 Is photovoltaic water pumping system economically and environmentally feasible for
rural area?
Hypothesis
The application of Photovoltaic water pumping system is economically and
environmentally viable to Gallessa village.
1.4. Scope of the study
In this thesis, I would intend to assess the Feasibility study to replacing the existing diesel
water pumping system by either direct or alternative current of solar photovoltaic water
pumping system for Gallessa village based on both its cost effectiveness and potential that
deliver sufficient water supply without any environment impact.
1.5 Significance of the study
The purpose of this thesis is to present the benefits of replacing diesel water pumping
system by Solar water pumping system. The benefits are demonstrated both in terms of
economic and environmental perspectives to show how much earning and how much
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reduction in CO2 emissions is achievable when PVWP technologies are used to when
replace DWP technology.
In general the research outcomes will have the following benefits:
• Used as reference for other design
• Helps to promote the use of solar water pumping in rural areas
• To increase demand for solar technologies from end-users and stakeholders.
• Solar pumping technology systematically considered as options in design of water
pumping systems and implemented when feasible.
• Improved capacity at community level to operate and maintain solar powered water
supply systems, to implement future schemes.
• Increased involvement of private sector in providing equipment and services.
• Awareness created amongst the end users and other sectors of society benefits of solar.
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CHAPTER TWO
2. LITRATURE REVIEW
2.1 Power source for water pumping
To cover the energy requirement, researches are being made for conventional or
renewable energy. One of the renewable energy is solar energy, which can be the main
source for power generator. Beneficially solar radiation is equally distributed in the any
place on the earth, its density isn‟t large, irradiation fluctuate sharply with the fickle
weather, and the solar energy cannot be stored, which cause no conflict on the earth and
on each one in peace[2]. The irradiance intensity is influenced by geographic (longitude,
latitude) of the location. The location around the equator has good irradiation throughout
the year, but the location around the pole particularly in winter season has little
irradiation [11]. Based on these reason, the equipment of solar energy in the tropic area is
more effective than other places (subtropics and pole). The survey, the observation and
measurement must be made to sure the irradiance intensity of allocation. Although in the
tropic area, the topography of the location and the weather also affect the irradiation. For
example, the location at the mountain is often rain or cloudy. As a result, the total
irradiation in one day is low. Based on the converting energy, the solar energy is
classified into: direct (thermal) and indirect (photonic) [14]. In the thermal system, the
solar energy is used direct to heat the object.
The photovoltaic system has main component, which is named the solar generator. The
solar generator consists of some photovoltaic modules. To obtain big power capacity, a
photovoltaic module has some solar cells those are connected in series and parallel and
the modules are also installed in series and parallel. The electric energy produced by the
solar generator is direct current (dc). In addition to the irradiance intensity and
temperature, the power output of the solar generator also depends on the solar cell
efficiency [16].
The main weakness of solar pumping is that irradiance intensity of the sun radiation in
one day always changes and fluctuates. The irradiation starts around 6 o‟clock and
increase at the maximum value (approximate 900 W/m2) at 12 AM. After 11 AM the
irradiation fluctuates, because the sky is cloudy and rainy later. After that the irradiance
7
intensity is gradually decrease. Around 18 PM the irradiation is zero [17]. The sun
radiation is the main source for the photovoltaic system, so the performance of the
photovoltaic system depends on the irradiance intensity.
The efficiency of solar cell is relative low 15% for the mono-crystal silicon and 12% for
the poly-crystal silicon. As a result, to get big capacity of the solar generator, large area
of the solar cell and places are necessary. In current time, the silicon is the main material
for the solar cell. In the world, the material silicon is not so much and always bounded
with other material. Purifying silicon from other material needs high process and
expensive cost. From the reasons, the price of the photovoltaic module is expensive; but
as compared to the fossil or nuclear energy, the conversion process from the photonic
energy into the electrical energy produces no waste materials, which are harmful to the
environment.
In the rural area and the space, to get the energy source is not easy. Only solar energy is
possible to use as the energy source. With the solar photovoltaic system, the electric
power can be obtained and the operation of the photovoltaic system is possible without
the operator, the photovoltaic system is suitable for the rural area and the space [18].
The solar generator produces the electric energy from the solar energy, which exists by
nature and the fuel is not necessary for the operating of photovoltaic system. In rural area
and space, the equipment in the photovoltaic system is designed and set without the
operator or run automatically [20]. Because of this, the maintenance and operational cost
of the photovoltaic system is low.
In the modern community, the electric energy is basic demand. In the big city and
country, electric energy is supplied by multi power plants with the source energy: fossil,
hydro, nuclear, and thermal generator, etc. The solar generator can also be used as the
power generator. With the reasons expensive price, low efficiency of the photovoltaic
module and the fluctuation of the output, the solar generator is only as alternative
generator [21]. However since the recent amendments of power industry law, electric
power produced from even a small house solar generator can be sold through the utility
lines. These generators are connected together. The power supply can be smoothened by
the interconnection over the vast area and power plants. The solar generator gradually
becomes a main generator in the city. With the system grows up into a single big system,
8
the system is afraid to be a brittle one as the nuclear generator system, which needs
powerful huge security [22].
In the rural area and the space, solar energy is suitable as the main energy source, because
the other energy source is limited. The intensity of the irradiation is highly fluctuating as
mentioned above and utility grid cannot be used in the rural area, the energy storage in
time is inevitable to match the variation of energy demand. As the common electric
storage, the battery is used but the size of the battery is too big compared with its capacity
and it is not friendly to the environment [23].
In some remote and rural areas, the photovoltaic pump (PVP) system of the hydraulic
power generator is proposed as the energy storage, which is not only store the hydraulic
energy but also supply the water drinking and watering places in the higher settlement
area, where there are many places in the world and are waiting for the exploitation. In the
city solar energy is converted to the electricity by solar generators and collected through
power utility grid, hopefully solar energy is stored in the pasture and collected by the
cattle to the watering places constructed with the present system [24].
2.2 Water-pumping Using Renewable Energy Technology
The availability of abundant renewable resources makes RETs very competitive for water
pumping in rural areas of developing countries, where fossil fuels are expensive and it is
usually challenging to extend the grid. Over a hundred renewable energy water pumping
systems used for both irrigation and domestic use and found that solar photovoltaic
followed by wind energy are the mostly widely used RETs for water pumping. For
storage methods they recommended water tanks and/or battery [25]. It could be more cost
effective to use the photovoltaic water pumping systems than diesel engines to energize
pumping systems. In widely distributed populations different authors they recommended
hand pumps and batteries and/ or pump storage tank for storage. Solar PV was cited as
the most advantages system despite the high capital costs with being environmentally
friendly and low O&M requirements topping the list of advantages [26]. Wind came
second with advantages of minimal maintenance as compared to the diesel ones and also
that unlike solar PV, it is not prone to theft. Diesel systems‟ main disadvantages were
high fuel costs and need for maintenance though the capital costs is comparatively low.
Since very small percentages of the population are connected to the electricity grid in
developing countries, RETs are a viable option for water pumping in the rural areas [27].
9
Gasoline engines have been used for long time, but fuel cost, transportation problem, lack
of skilled personnel makes the conventional water pumping system unreliable and
expensive for rural communities. Many researchers have studied the application of solar
PV water pumping systems; Asefa K. et al have studied the application of solar pump in
rural areas of Ethiopia. N. Argaw et al have discussed the application of renewable
energy in rural village [28].
Regarding the feasibility study A. Raturi has studied the feasibility of a solar water
pumping system by selecting one rural village of Fiji Island.
A.A. Ghoneim has developed a computer simulation program to determine the
performance of the proposed photovoltaic-powered water pumping systems [25]. C.K.
Panigrahi et al have done a design and modeling of the photovoltaic water pumping
system. The economic performance and comparison also carried out by Robert F [21].
and Alma C. focused on solar water pumping advances and comparative economics.
According to, Robert F. and Alma C. Research PV water pumping is the most cost
effective for steady pumping needs such as community water supply or livestock
Figure 2.1 Schematic diagram of solar water pump [27]
Now a day, the PV module costs are reduced all over the world. However, the capital cost
of a solar photovoltaic water pumping system is still higher than the conventional diesel
engines water pumping system [27]. Therefore, optimization efforts under this thesis are
mainly focused on study the feasibility PV water pumping system by using PVsyst
software for design, simulation and economic analysis of solar photovoltaic water
10
pumping system. The solar data, well characteristics, water demand and storage tank size
are input to PVsyst. The output of the software includes the amount of water delivered to
the users, the amount of missing water, the excess (unused) PV energy and the system
efficiency (performance ratio) during the year. Furthermore, the economic analysis of the
software helps to determine the global investment, yearly cost and cost of water in cubic
meters. The life cycle cost analysis also carried out in this paper for the comparison
between solar photovoltaic and conventional diesel water pumping system. The results of
this comparison show that more SPV systems can be installed in the country, replacing
the existing more expensive Diesel systems, which would play a significant role in
achieving the country‟s SDG targets.
2.3 Solar PV Water Pumping System in Ethiopia
In developing countries like Ethiopia, generally composed of several villages dispersedly

located and with different topography, so it is very difficult to extend the electric grid to
every location where it is required. As result, the lack of safe drinking water is still an
issue to be solved in many developing countries, especially in rural areas. The trend of
increasing fossil fuel price and its high contribution to environmental problems makes
fossil energy sources unpromising. Different researches have been carried out and their
results show that, renewable energies are the best alternative energy sources to replace
the fossil energy [14].
One of solar PV water pumping system which is installed in our country is found in a
rural community of Asela area in the Rift Valley of Ethiopia. The location is 1669 m
above sea level and its coordinates are latitude 7º 30‟ N and longitude 38º 30‟ E. The
average annual insolation on a horizontal surface is 6.69kWh/m2/day, and the average
maximum and minimum annual temperatures are respectively 21ºC and 16ºC. The
monthly average is 12 hours of daylight per day; however, irradiance is more than 400
W/m2 for only 8 hours per day. At the site, water is typically found around 15 m below
the surface; thus, an effective height of 18 m is considered in the calculations [20].
11
2.4 Energy Output and Load
The sun is the most abundant renewable energy source which emits energy at a rate of 3.8
× 1023KW. Only a tiny fraction, approximately 1.8×1014KW (21.1%) is reaching the
earth surface, and only 60% (1.08×1014kw) absorbed by earth and the remaining portion
reflected back and absorbed by the atmosphere[6]. Solar energy the most advanced
photon utilization technology among those thermal energy and photovoltaic solar system
are the most abundant and the later one when photons strike certain semiconductor
materials, such as silicon, they dislodge electrons which causes a potential difference to
form between the specially treated front surface of the solar cell and the back surface it
directly generated electric power. With current technology about 10m2 of PV panels are
required to generate 1 KW of electricity. The first practical photovoltaic solar cell
converting sunlight in to useful electrical power at conversion efficiency about 6% was
first demonstrated on April 25,1954 and led to development photovoltaic solar panels
used to power all satellite and many photovoltaic solar cell energy system in used today.
In the 1970s, improvements in manufacturing, performance and quality of PV modules
helped to reduce costs and opened up a number of opportunities for powering remote
terrestrial applications. In the 1980s, photovoltaic became a popular power source for
consumer electronic devices, including calculators, watches, radios, lanterns and other
small battery-charging applications.
One of applying the solar energy is the photovoltaic pump (PVP) system, which pumps
the water from water source to the storage tank or the community. The solar cells made
from the silicon material functions to change the solar energy into the electric energy.
The solar generator consists of the some solar cells, which do converting the photonic
energy into the electric energy. The power output of the solar generator is influenced by
high-low irradiance intensity and temperature, but the temperature doesn‟t strongly affect
the performance of the solar generator. The intensity of the sun radiation in one day is
different value from 0 to1000 Wm-2. The radiation data of the every location is maybe
different with the other location. The high-low radiation depends on the latitude and
altitude of the location. The power output of the solar-generator is written [23].
12
Where, `PSG `is power output of the solar-generator (in Watt); is the irradiance
intensity of the sun radiation (0~1000 Wm-2); `A`, the area of the solar cells (m2);` ᶯcell`
the efficiency of the solar cell (for poly-crystal cell is 12% and for mono-crystal is 15%).
From the Equation, fluctuating the irradiance intensity, changes the power output.
Commonly the PVP system is connected with a pump as the single load and without the
storage energy or the battery, which can be used to save the waste energy. When the
irradiance intensity is low or high, the voltage and current output of the solar generator
are different [25].
In the clear weather, the irradiance intensity has relationship to the time in one day. In the
morning or low radiation, the system with the small load works well. Gradually the
irradiance intensity rises and the power (current- voltage) output of the solar generator is
also swell. When the power output of the solar- generator is too bigger than the capacity
load, the voltage output of the solar generator or the voltage input of the inverter is over
the maximum operating. According to the protection of the component in the
inverter/converter for defection, the inverter/converter cuts automatically the connection
from the solar-generator. The status of the inverter becomes in standby. It causes that the
pump doesn‟t run. The maximum irradiance intensity happened around 12 o‟clock [27].
After this time the irradiance intensity slowly decreases and the voltage output of solar
generator also goes down.
The PVP system with the big load only works at the high radiation or around noon. At the
low irradiance intensity, this system doesn‟t operate, because the power output of the
solar-generator is too smaller than the load capacity. In one day the PVP system with the
single load has the unbalancing between the power output of the solar-generator and the
load capacity. The Unbalancing condition results the pump is stop and losing energy.
2.5. Type tracking system for solar panels
In order to increase low efficiency the output required power properly sizing and load
determine are very important factor during site assessment .There are three ways of
adjustment the position of panels system to the sun direction. Fixed track double track
and single track. They have its own advantage and disadvantage depending on the
position of panels. Solar panel tracking solution is more advanced technology for
13
mounting PV panel. PV trackers maximized power generation due to increased direct

exposure to solar rays. This increase can be as match as 10-25% depending on
geographical location of the tracking system, Installation size, Local weather, Degree of
latitude and electrical requirement are very important to mate the actual PV output on
field sun tracker must deliver on several dimension during the different phase of the PV
project life, design, installation, operation and maintenance. but, the challenge are
numerous and diversified range from field configuration to need local content from local
lab our skill to weather condition ,from budgetary constraints tight delivery terms[33].
Geography and Topology –site design, Location level of irradiation light, snow etc.
Stationery mounts which hold panels in fixed position, can have their productivity
compromised when the sun passed to less than optical angle, but solar tracking
automatically move to track the progress of the sun across the sky, thereby maximized
output. Using tracking system help maximize the energy gain during the peak time
period. Tracking system more complex system than fixed tracking, need more site
preparation including additional trenching for wiring and some additional grading. Even
with advancement in reliability there is generally more maintenances required thane fixed
track, though the quality of the solar tracker can play a role in how much and how often
this maintenance needed [33]
2.6 Solar photovoltaic in Ethiopia
Solar water pumping projects have been implemented in many parts of Ethiopia in the
past twenty five years mainly by NGOs, with the total number of PV pumps installed is
estimated at several hundred which delivered potable water for 100 to 1000 people from
boreholes in that are 40 to 80m. The majority of population lived in rural area off-grid
electric system, dominated by un illiterates people disperse settlements far from each
other (far from current new information technology) and used un-portable water supply,
there is no study about the feasibility of solar water pumping system in that area to choice
their own option [5].At present many population in rural areas are using diesel for
running water pumping system from the borehole for drinking demotic purpose. Since the
diesel has to be regularly replaced and thus costing price population a substantial amount
of money periodically I envision a replacement of diesel water pump by solar PV water
14
pumping system. To design good solar photovoltaic water pumping system, it required
more strictness as system components designed and properly sizing to fit the job
requirements and efforts need to be done to bring system set up cost to a minimum.
SPVWP system due to sun light direction dependence work only at day time, so, the
output power low , have high initial investment cost. So to finding the best solution for
this problem is very important to increase profitability of the population by increasing
output power and decreasing load to rotate (tracking) to the direction of the sun by using
mechanical and electrical couple easily to rotate (auto-rotation) to the direction of the sun
periodical increase the required power output and reduce cost of PV panel by decreasing
number of panels with its required area without change water demand [33].
2.7 Components of PV system
PV system is a system which uses one or more solar panels to convert sunlight into
electricity. It consists of multiple components depends up its configuration system, such
as PV system providing DC power only, system providing AC power through an invert
and hybrid system those different to each other based on modules, mechanical and
electrical connections and mountings(tracking ) and means of regulating and modifying
the electrical output. Under this Thesis discussed about two basic types of solar powered
water pumping system based on the mechanical and electrical arrangements; thus ;are
Battery coupled (AC motor) and Direct-coupled (DC motor) will be discussed in order to
replacing the existed diesel powered system .
Variety of factors must be considered during in determining the optimum system for
particular application during their integration system; because their different component
the output power and economical may be different due to DC and AC motor components
are different.AC motor are powered from AC while, DC motor are powered from DC.
The DC quantity that can you supply to a brushed DC motor gets converted in to AC in
armature circuit by help of the commentator and brush assembly .In case of brush less
DC motor this takes place in the inherent driving circuit.(commutation is periodically
reversal of the current direction between the rotor /armature and the external circuit. DC
motors are usually seen an application where the motor speed needs to be external
15
controlled; AC motor work best in application where power performance is sought for
extended periodically of time.
All DC motors are single phase, but AC motor either single phase or three phases. In AC
motor ,the armature rotate while the magnetic field does not rotate; in DC motor the
armature does not rotate and the magnetic field consciously rotate. DC electric motor has
many moving parts that are expensive to replace, and DC electric motor with an
electronic controller.AC motor can withstand wear and tear and have a longer life span.
DC and AC motor have differing means of speed controller; while DC motors are
controlled by the varying their armature windings current ,AC motors simply vary the
frequency ;DC motors are self-starting and required no external help whereas AC motor
required starting equipment to starts operation.
2.7.1 PV Solar generator
The PV generator converts the solar radiation falling down on its surface into electric dc
power, which is converted to AC power by the inverter to supply the induction motor. It
consists of a number of PV modules connected in series, building a row to generate DC
voltage suitable to the inverter input, and a number of rows connected in parallel to
generate the power (dc) necessary to run the pumping system [33].
If the power of the solar-generator is bigger than the power of one individual module are
connected in parallel. Additional the direction and angle are fixed, in order to get the
optimum of the radiation during a year; the location of the PV array must be free from
tree, building and some thing, which are higher than the high of PV array, then their
configuration as follow:
2.7.1.1 Module in parallel
Multiple cell strings are often connected in parallel, particularly in modules with higher
power output. Several solar cells are always first connected in series to form a string, and
this string is then connected in parallel to a module. The numbers (n) of the identical
module are jointed in parallel. The resulting voltage (VSG) is the same for each module
and the resulting current (ISG) is the sum of the respective currents I1 until In of the
module:
16
Figure 2.2 .Parallel connections of PV modules
ISG=∑ = I1 + I2 + I3 + ....... + In ……………….………….………….………..…. (2.2)
VSG=V1=V2=V3=…………..=Vn
The current and voltage output of the solar-generator in the photovoltaic array are:
Vout ∑ VVVV4Vn ………………………………….…………. (2.3)
Iout ∑ IIm
The power of the solar-generator (Pout) is written as
Pout= ∑ ∑ = (V1 + V2+ V3. . . +VnI1 + I2 + I3 . . . +Im (2.4)
2.7.1.2 Modules in Series

In PV modules, connected in series to create a higher voltage. It can be seen that the cell
voltages increase while the current remains constant. In an ideal case when numbers (n)
of the identical photovoltaic module are connected in series, the open-circuit voltages
equal to nth the voltage of one individual module [33]:
VSG ∑ VVVV4Vn (I 0) ………….…………………..……. (2.5)
VSGnVOC1nVOC2nVOC3.......nVOCn (I 0)
17
Figure 2.3 Series connection of PV modules

2.7.2 Power Conditioner
Several electronic devices are used to control and modify the electrical power produced
by the photovoltaic array. These include:
 Battery charge controllers - regulate the charge and discharge cycles of the battery;
 Pump Controller- Matching device used so systems will operate at optimum power,
matching the electrical characteristics of the load and the array. It is used to connect the
pump to the solar array. It must be sized properly to minimize line losses.
 Inverter- Is a device that converts the direct current coming out of the PV into
alternating current (AC). An inverter could be chosen to output in a variety of voltages,
for very large loads. Because of the specific operating conditions of stand-alone inverters,
different design aspects have to be considered. The most important requirements on
inverters for stand-alone photovoltaic systems are summarized in the following list.
Such as regulating the voltage output, the dc-dc converter functions as the maximum
power point (MPP) tracker. Because the radiation intensity changes, the current and
voltage output of the solar-generator always fluctuate and the MPP of the solar-generator
also moves. With the MPP tracker, the power output of the solar-generator is near
18
optimum. The regulation is normally achieved by pulse-width modulation (PWM) at

affixed frequency and the switching device is commonly a power IGBT or MOSFET
[26].The main components are the switcher and the pulse width modulation (PWM).
Usually the switcher employs MOSFET or IGBT, which is driven and controlled by the
PWM.
2.7.3 Motor and Pump
For water pumping applications, several types of pumps may be used. They can be
categorized according to their design type (rotating or positive displacement pumps), to
their location (surface or submersible), or to the type of motor they use (AC or DC).
Finally, the choice between a DC and an AC motor to drive the pump will depend on
many factors, including price, reliability and technical support available. DC motors are
usually very efficient and are easier to match with the PV array. AC motors, on the other
hand, are cheaper and more readily available, but they require an inverter to be connected
to the array. The selection of AC pumps comparing to the selection of DC pump:
1. AC pump is a general model standard product. It is easy to choose type and find
compatible system combination but DC pump is a special pump which works only with
fixed type of controllers, thus generated standardization problems [35].
2. AC motor pump has higher overdrive capacity and long life span. DC motor pump can
“over drive for too long, otherwise the demagnetization might damage the motor and it
needs more replacement
3. DC solar pump uses no storage battery, the structure is simple, cost is low, and
reliability is high. Storage battery in ac solar pumping system has short life span, needs
regular service and replacement, and higher cost. Lead-acid battery is not environment
friendly and difficult to dispose after scrapped. The charge and discharge of battery also
requires additional controller, and the conversion efficiency is low. This also reduced the
system reliability.
In the submersible pump, the motor is coupled directly with the pump in one unit. To suit
the phase of the inverter and the size of the motor, the 3-phase induction motor is chosen.
Three-phase induction motor is installed together with the centrifugal pump.
19
If PVP system is without the battery, the power output of the solar generator depends on
the irradiant intensity. It causes that the voltage and frequency output of the inverters is
unsteady, however the starting and rotation of the three phase induction motor have no
problem. The maintenance of the induction motor is relative low, because the rotors are
squirrel cage type and without brush.
2.8 Performance and Measured Data
To evaluate and analyze the performance of the PVP system, some parameters of the
system must be measured. The measured data are: sun irradiation (Ec), output voltage of
the solar generator (Vout), output current of the solar generator (Iout), hydrodynamic
pressure (H), flow rate (Q), VAR power of the inverter (Svar), watt power of the inverter
(Pwatt) and output voltage of the reference module, From this measured data[28], the
other data is calculated, sun irradiation per unit time (kWhm-2per day), power of the solar
generator(kWh per day), water volume (m3), total head (m), subsystem efficiency
(%),system efficiency (%), VA power and factor power (cosᶲ) inverter.
20
CHAPTER THREE
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS
The approaches is to assess the feasibility of solar Photovoltaic water pumping system in
rural area based on economic analysis in case of Gallessa village through:-
• An intensive literature review relating to solar Photovoltaic water pumping system.
• Determining the incident solar radiation level on the plane of the array.
• Estimating the daily water demanded
• Evaluating the economic analysis of the solar photovoltaic water pumping system using
PVSYST, software.
• Evaluating the solar photovoltaic water pumping system (SPVWPS) and diesel water
pumping system (DWPS) based on environmental perspective.
Data analysis
 Solar irradiance
 Estimate the daily
water demand
 Determine the  Annual simulation
hydraulic energy  PV sizing
 Determine total PVsyst 6.73  Project report
dynamic head Software  Economic analysis
 Determine power
pump motor
 Calculated PV
components
Figure 3.1: Inputs and outputs to PVsyst software
3.1 Description of the project area
Benishangul Gumuz regional state (BGR) is one of the nine regional states established in
1994 by new constitution of Ethiopia. The regional capital city is Asossa, which is
located at distance of 687 km west of Addis Ababa. Gallessa village is found at Debatie
Woreda in Metekel zone and based on the information obtained from the Gallessa town
Municipality, one Health center and two Schools of the governmental institutions with
the total population is estimated 4,255.It is located in the Eastern part of the region
21
between 10.30 – 10.380 latitude and 36.30 -37.040 longitude at 1645m above sea level
[31]
Study area (Gallessa)
Figure 3.2: Map of B/G/R/S with Debatie woreda [31]
3.2 Water Source
Existing water source for the Gallessa village is borehole as shown in figure 3.3 below
from site visited with diesel powered pumping system designed by B/G/R/S water
Irrigation Energy Bureau and the finance source were from Finland Government in 2006
EC and started giving service since May, 2008 EC and managed by WASHCOM. This
well is 59 m deep and about 9 lit/sec which located at 500m far from service reservoir in
west direction at coordination point X=184843;Y=1146131 and the elevation 1645m
above sea level. But, before that community getting water from rivers, hand dug well and
unprotected spring water source.
Figure 3.3 the exist borehole
22
3.3 .Method of Data Collection
The study used primary and secondary data to undertake socio-economic study in
Gallessa water supply town. The primary data collection systems are by interviewing
stakeholders (WASHCOM) and site visit and observation local accesses as well as
availability.
The main important question rises during observation and questions are focused on:-
•What type of service and local infrastructure are available?
• How much can the residents paid for a 100% guaranteed water supply in all seasons?
• To what extent can they tolerate a periodic lack of water?
• How many days of autonomy are possible in the case of system breakdown, where the
water thank can still serve the community until the system is fixed?
• What is the availability of maintenance personnel and spare parts? And all data about
the exist diesel water pumping system from predesigning period up to now with its
delivering power and additional questions are at appendix 5.
Various secondary data also collected from different source which related to the intensive
literature review about photovoltaic water pumping system and annual report data from
regional WIE Bureau, woreda WME Office, town‟s water supply service, and kebele
administration.
3.4. Solar resource and photovoltaic system
Main electrical generator of the proposed system is photovoltaic panel which converts
solar irradiation directly into Electricity. Since the solar radiation varies daily, hourly and
seasonally the electricity produced by the PV array vary accordingly. Since the selected
site has very good solar irradiation throughout the year and in order to capture the
maximum amount of energy from the solar photovoltaic panel the following factors
should be considered during and after the design of the system to replacing the existing
diesel generator.
 Total size of solar PV array
 Type of module /array used
 The orientation of the module/array
 The angle from Horizontal
23
The first step in the design of any solar PV system is the determination of the solar
resource available in the location where the system will be installed. Solar irradiance data
would be obtained from the nearest meteorology station, national solar resource maps or
own data for the site. Solar irradiation is the total solar radiation reaching the plane of the
array which comes from beam, diffuse and ground reflected radiation. Radiation data are
the best source of information for estimating average incident radiation and for the proper
designing of a solar PV water pumping system. A precise analysis and design of a solar
PV water pumping system requires knowledge of the availability of global solar radiation
and its components at the location of project site. Since the solar radiation reaching the
earth`s surface depends upon climatic conditions of the place, a study of solar radiation
under local climatic conditions is essential.
For this thesis the solar radiation data is obtained from NASA meteorology website and
PVsyst meteorology file by entering the longitudinal (10.380) and latitude of the site
(36.120) and at the 1645m above sea level than the solar irradiance data output as shown
detail at table 3.1 below.
Table 3.1: Solar irradiance data of Gallessa [13]
Months Glob Hor. Daily Hor. Diff Hor. T amb.0C WindVel. m/s Glob Inc.
2 2 2
KWh/m kWh/m /day KWh/m KWh/m2
January
195.6 6.077 52.36 23.1 1.6 208.4
February 5.89
187.6 50.18 24.5 1.6 192.6
March(30) 208.3 6.55 72.53 24.3 1.8 201.5
April 201.6 6.48 68.91 22.6 2.3 188.9
May 192.7 6.425 78.98 20.9 2.3 178.7
June 171.3 5.71 71.81 13.52 2.4 155.9
July(28day) 152.7 5.09 65.45 19.6 2.6 140.9
August 167.6 5.59 76.80 18.7 2.8 159.7
September 168.7 5.63 73.45 19.3 3.1 168.4
October(30 172.2 5.84 62.40 19.8 3.2 186.3
November 187.2 5.9 51.87 20.6 2.6 200.5
December 191.9 6.19 44.45 21.9 1.8 211.6
year 2206.9 6.(ave) 769.18 16.99 2.3 2183.2
24
(a) (b)
Figure 3.4 monthly (a) and Hourly solar irradiation data for Gallessa Village
According to the data output from PVsyst software in figure 3.4 above and figure 3.4
below presented from different figure we understood that (a)Normal beam irradiation
have high potential monthly solar irradiation data in month January, Feverwort as well as
November and December, but from March-October begging Horizontal global irradiation
have high potential than Normal beam irradiation July and August month have short
irradiation data, similarly data from(b) which indicate that 4AM-10PM solar irradiation
has potential to pumping water daily solar irradiance at Gallessa peak mid-day.
25
Figure3.5 Monthly average solar radiation profiles for Gallessa Village

3.5. Daily water requirement
According to the design criteria and toolkit for the solar water pumping system design
worksheet estimated by the Ministry of Water, Irrigation & Energy, based on SDG target
the per capita water consumption of rural area are 20 liter/person/day. Domestic water
demand is estimated from the number of beneficiary using the system multiplied by the
per capita water consumption. As per the information obtained from the Gallessa town
Municipality the total population is estimated to be 4,255. So the daily water requirement
only for domestic consumption only is calculated as follow: Thus;
Daily water requirement for Gallessa village =4255 x 20 = 85100 liter/day = 85.1 m3/day.
26
3.6 Determine Total Dynamic Head
The total dynamic head (TDH) is the sum of the vertical lift, friction losses through pipes,
and the tank pressure.
TDH=Total vertical leftie Friction loss +Tank pressure…………….….……………….3.1
Figure 3.6 Schematic diagram Total vertical water pumping system [32]
The total vertical lift for a well is the elevation between the surface of the water
extraction source (aquifers), the static (not changing) water level and the drawdown
(which varies with volume pumped from the well and the well recharge rate). The above
diagram illustrates these variables for a pump installed in a well [32, 33].
 Total Vertical lift = Elevation + Static water level + Drawdown
 Elevation = Elevation difference of the tanker and the bore hole (20 m) + the tanker
height (2.8 m) = 22.8 m, SWL = 14m, and Drawdown = 26m
 Total Vertical lift = 22.8 m + 14 m + 26 m = 62.8 m.
According to BG solar and wind feasibility final report, the total friction head loss of
pipes and fittings are 15% of the vertical lift [32].
Than total friction head loss of pipes and fitting = 62.8 x 0.15 = 9.42 m.
Pressure head is the pressure at the delivery point in the tank. For this project, there is no
pressure at the delivery point (the tank‟s water surface), so: pressure head is zero
Therefore, TDH = 62.8 + 9.42 + 0 = 72.2m
27
3.7 Determine the hydraulic power requirement
The hydraulic energy (potential energy) is the energy required to lift the daily water
demand through the total dynamic head. The relation used to calculate the hydraulic
energy demand as the following [29, 33]
.
Where: Eh= hydraulic power requirement (KWh/day)

w= water density = 1000 kg/m3
g= acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m/s2

V= daily required volume of water in m3/day
TDH = Total dynamic head
3.6×106=conversion factor
Thus; hydraulic power would be
Eh = (1000 kg/m3 x 9.81 m/s2 x Q x TDH)/3.6 x 106
Eh = 0.002725 x 85.1x TDH = 0.261709TDH
Eh = 0.261709TDH = 0.261709 x 72.2 = 16.74KWh/day
3.8. Determine size of pump and motor power
The size of the water pump motor required (in Watts) is calculated from the flow rate (in
liters/sec) and the total dynamic head (in meters), and the efficiency of the motor. Pump
and motors are coupled mechanically; the motor drives the pump and the pump moves
the fluids by mechanical action from to the desired height. Thus; hydraulic power
required is calculated from the flow rate and the total dynamic head as follows [30, 35]:
P = g x Q x TDH ………………………………………………………………………………..3.3
=9.81x9 x72.2=6.375KW
Where: P = Hydraulic Power (Watts) g = gravity (9.81m/s2)
TDH = total dynamic head in meters
Q = Discharge in liters/sec (consider normal pump operating time which is 6 hours/day)
Then, the required power for the motor is calculated from the hydraulic power
requirement and the motor efficiency as follows:
Motor power =
28
= 6.375/0.6 = 10.63KW
Where: P = Hydraulic Power (Watts)
η = Efficiency of pump, in most cases η=60% [36]

Table 3.2 PV modules efficiency relative to each other
s/n PV module type ηr% NOCT ßp%/C

1 Mono-crystalline Silicon(Mon-Si) 15.01 45 0.40
2 Polycrystalline Silicone(Poly-Si) 13.15 45 0.40
3 Amorphous silicon(a-Si) 5 50 0.11
4 Cadmium telluride(Cd Te ) 9-11 46 0.24
5 Copper indium dieselenide (CIS) 10-12 47 0.46
Source : htt: //wwnewsenergysage.com

Where: ηr=is the PV module efficiency at reference temperature;
=is the temperature coefficient for module efficiency.
NOCT= is the nominal operating cell temperature

Tc-Ta=NOCT-20G
0.8
G; is given in kw/m2, Tc, Ta are cell and am binate temperature respectively
As insolation decreases the produced current decreases while voltage remains constant.
Figure 3.7 Effect of incident irradiance at constant temperature on PV module I-V
29
3.9. Sizing PV array
The main aim of sizing of the photovoltaic arrays are to achieve the usually opposing
goals of maximum reliability and minimum cost by considering the available solar
insulation, the tilt and orientation of the array and the characteristic of the photovoltaic
modules being considered. The array size meets the average daily load requirement for
month or season of the year with the lowest ratio of daily insulation to the daily load.
The available insulation striking a photovoltaic array varies throughout the year and is a
function of the tilt angle and azimuth orientation of the array. Due to the load is
constant, then during designing must consider the time of the year with the minimum
amount of sunlight because in Ethiopia summer time is from May-September and
additional Knowing the insulation available and the power output required, the array
can be sized using module specifications supplied by manufacturers. According to this
thesis the method used to size of the solar array required (KWp) is calculated by
dividing the hydraulic energy required (in KWh/d) by the mean daily solar irradiation
(KWh/m2./d).Then adjusted for array mismatch and subsystem efficiency.
Where:
F= array mismatch factor = 0.85 on average (a safety factor for real panel performance
in hot sun and after 10-20 years) and
E = daily subsystem efficiency = 0.25 - 0.40, But now the overall efficiency of the solar
water pumping is increased and average subsystem efficiency 50% (Typical values 50%
to 70%) (Older electrical pump sets may have lower sub system efficiency [37]
The next step is to determine the numbers of strings of parallel –connection modules to
obtained desired system voltage;
30
The next step is determined the number of strings of parallel-connected modules to obtain
desired system voltage. This number is found by using the following formula [37].
Where; NP = number of modules connected in parallel
Imp= maximum input current
Iarray= the required total output current.
To determine the number of modules in series divided system nominal voltage to nominal
module voltage;
Therefor; the total modules required to deliver the daily average energy (in Ah) at the
system voltage are: =2 13=26 modules are required punches for direct
coupled PV water pumping system
In similar way calculated the number of modules for battery coupled PV solar water
pumping system by considering loss and safety factory for battery coupled 18 modules
parallel and 2 series module and total 36 modules required.
The total area required calculated as [36].
Where: A= area required in (m2)

=PV array power required in (W)
= Daily insulation (w/m2)
=system efficiency (assume at 0.85)
Thus, the area required to designing solar PV water pumping to delivering sufficient
amount of power required are, for direct coupled (DC-pump) 66.7m2 and for battery
coupled system(AC-powered system ) 78m2 area were required .
31
From different research currently solar PV modules selection are based on its efficiency
current commercial availability for this thesis based on this chrital Mo-crystalline silicon
was selected performance characteristic given by manufacture.
Table 3.3 Table 3.3 Technical Character tic of Modules for PV sizing selection
3.10. Sizing of pump controller
3.10.1 Inverter
Inverters accept an electrical current in one form (DC) and output the current in another
form (AC) that is converts DC into AC, whereas a rectifier converts AC into DC. There
are also DC–DC converters, which step up or step down the voltage of DC current. For
battery coupled PV solar water pumping system inverter integration is one of mandatory
component and rate by their continuous wattage output with main basic task as
conversion of DC power directly produced from PV panels (array) in to useful AC power
with properly sized at the required load by considering conversation factor relation
32
between DC/ AC to the load or bio-direction operation(conversation from AC/DC is also

possible for battery charge from generator, by adjust and regulated the frequency and
voltage level of the building's electrical system. Protect the battery against the overcharge
or discharge and optimize the energy transfer between the PV generator and the load.
Even if different type of inverters are present on the market (such as Sine-wave, Modified
sine-wav and Square-wave), but for stand-alone PV solar water pumping system; the
following requirements are important part of inverter to choose the most suitable inverter
 The peak power of the PV array: the maximum amount of DC power that the inverter
can convert to AC is usually lower than the maximum PV array power due to the losses
in the system before the inverter; The output power limits how many modules can be
connected to it.
 Voltage: since Voltage is dependent on temperature, the values have to be checked for
extreme temperatures. The Vmpp has to be between the inverter operating voltage limits
and the Voc needs to be lower than the input maximum voltage; Very good conversion
efficiency, high overload capability for switch-on and starting sequences; tolerance
against battery voltage fluctuations; Economical standby state with automatic load
detection; High electromagnetic compatibility; Protection against short-circuit damage on
the output side; Low harmonic content; Surge voltage protection; Based on the above
requirement criteria listed out technical specifications according to the following the size
of the inverter converted from DC to AC by is calculated from the size of the motor with
consideration for inverter efficiency as follows: Pumping controller size= 25% to 30%
higher than total pump power motor [38].
Thus; Motor power = 10.63KW which is calculated from pump power by considering its
efficiency as 60%, than, the value of converter will be calculated as.
=10.63*1.25=13.3kw
Where: = Power rating of inverter (VA)
= Load power (Watt)
33
A) (B)
Figure3.8. Power input (DC) output (AC) efficiency of inverter (A)KVAC at 50C0 the
temperature.
Table 3.4 Technical specifications for inverter selection input and output side
Inverter Specification Triphase50HZ Specification
Model : Platinum 14,000R3-M2DXB761064
Input side(DC PV field Output side (AC grid) 400V
Maximum DC Voltage 720v Nominal AC Voltage 13.5V
Maximum DC Current main input 42.0A Nominal AC power 13.5KW
Maximum current seconder input 9.5A Max AC power 13.8KW
Min Vmpp 350V Nominal AC Current 19.6A
Nominal Vmpp N/A Max AC Current 24.2A
Absolute Max PV voltage 900V Max Efficiency 98.5%
Power threshold 20W Euro efficiency 98.42%
34
3.10.2 Battery Bank
Battery is one of the component for stand-alone PVWPS and electrical devise which
converted chemical energy into electrical energy that providing; energy storage capacity
and autonomy device to ensure continuous supply even when the solar array is unable to
produce any power, during cloud weather; used as voltage and current stabilization as
well as enhancing supplying surge current for staring motor.
Selections of battery for PV solar water pumping systems are based on the following as
the main criteria: Good price with relative performance ratio; Low self-discharging and
high energy efficiency; Can be charged with small charge currents; High energy and
power density (space requirements and weight); Vibration-resistant (mobile use or for
transportation); protection against health and environmental hazards; recyclable.
There are different type of battery and its capacity useful A-h capacity of battery at
specified current; Maximum allowable depth of discharge, Average daily depth of
discharge, Nominal charge current, nominal battery subsystem bus voltage, Maximum
number of string in parallel and Recyclability are the main chareictestic of PV solar
batteries property.
Based on the above selection criteria and taken assumption required as follow; the
selected battery type for this thesis is lead-acid deep cycle with efficiency 80%,for 3 day
as autonomy period; depth of discharge and derateing for round trip efficiency ,due to its
recharge ability, capacity ;voltage per cell , discharge rate relative as well as economic
accessibility among different battery types[36].
Where: = battery capacity (Ampere-hour or Ah)

E = daily energy consumption (Wh)
= battery voltage (Voltage) =24volt
= battery charging efficiency (normally 0.8 to 0.95)
DOD = Depth of Discharge (50%)
= Autonomy Days assumed=3days
35
(a) (b)
Figure 3.9 Capacity VS Discharge current for selected battery (a) and realistic model with
DOD loss.
= 16.74KWhrs/day/ 24Volts =697.5Ahrs/Day

To calculated the required battery bank capacity as follow;
CB=697.5Ah/day*3day/ (50%*85%)
CB =4923.5Ahr
To determine numbers of batteries required as follow [36];
=
 Total No of batteries = No of parallel batteries * Number of batteries series
=2*8=16 batteries are required
36
For battery configuration like to PV module in parallel arrangement current is the sum
and voltage the same throughout. But in series arranging visa verse.
Posetive terminal
-
Negative terminal
Figure 3.10 Series –Parallel Arrangements of battery for PV water pumping system
3.10.3 Charge Control, Wire and Cable
Charge controller should be able to with stand short circuit current (ISC) of the module
and maximum battery to load current (ILmax). Conductor material like copper (most
common), Insulation material like thermoplastic (most common and Wire exposed to
sunlight must be classed as sunlight resistant
The charge controller (cable) regulates the voltage and current produced from the solar
panels going to the battery to load for AC appliance or directly connected and transfer
energy from PV panels to load, the size of wire (cable) may be similar or different it
depends upon the size of load (amount of electric produced from its source generator)
Important application of battery charge controllers and system controls are:
Provide Load Control Functions: Automatically connect and disconnect an electrical load
at a specified time, for example operating a lighting load from sunset to sunrise.
37
Figure 3.11 illustrated the specific application of charge control on selected batteries
From the figure above we understood that for charging condition disconnect at 66.26V and
reconnect at 62.69V ;similarly for discharge condition disconnect at 58.62V and reconnect
at 61.0.8V and for Backup gene set backup ON at 59.39V and disconnect at 61.59V
The electrical connecting cables between the individual modules of a solar generator and to
the generator junction box are termed 'module cables' or 'string cables'. The DC main cable
connects the PV junction/combiner box with the inverter. The AC connection cable links
the inverter to the electricity grid via the protection equipment.
The size of the wire required is calculated by using the Standard Wire Gauge (SWG) [36]
formula as.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3.16
Where: A= Cross Sectional Area of wire (mm2)

L= Length of wire joining solar module and charge controller,
Im =Current follow from solar modules to charge controller (A)
V=Voltage drop or voltage loss across the wire.
d= Diameter of wire = 3.14 (Constant)
38
The voltage drop in each wire segment can be calculated using the following formula:
∆V= Maximum current flowing through the wire ×Wire length (both way) × Voltage factor
the inner diameter of conductor wire depends upon voltage drop between solar module and
charge controller. The PV quality assurance has specified the following level of voltage
drop in each wire segment as Less than 5% between charge regulator (CR) and load; Less
than 3% between array and CR and also CR to inverter; Less than 1% between CR and
battery [38].The thickness of the conductor indicates how much energy can be dropped
between the solar module and charge controller ;Here the size of the wire (diameter) is
given in Standard Wire Gauge (SWG), American Wire Gauge (AWG) and British Wire
Gauge (BWG).
The input parameters of the PVsyst 6.73 are as shown in table 3.5 detailed in appendix1
Table 3.5: Basis Simulation input parameters for both senior (DC and AC) PVWPS
Discretion Parameters
Geographical site Gallessa [Ethiopia]
System type Deep well
Tilted angle 150
Azimuth 0
Water requirement per day 85.1 m3
Total head 72.2 m
Borehole diameter 30.5cm
Well depth 59 m
Water storage tank volume 100 m3
Water storage tank full height 4.62 m
Pipe length 500m withDN100(4”)
PV array types Model 420wp 42V,Si-mono,TS-S420 Manufacture
Topsun
Pump type Model: SQF 2.5-2, 1.5KW,Si-mono,
Manufacturer: GrundfosSQflex
Power conditioning Model: 1.4KW, MPPT converter, PS 1800 old
Manufacturer: Lorentz
For battery coupled PV system(AC)
No module required 18 parallel*2 Series=36 modules
Number of batteries used 8 parallel*2Series=16 batteries
39
Total area required 78m2

Pump type Model PS9KC-SJ17-11,Manufacture ;Lorentz
Pump technology Centrifugal multistage ,Motor AC motor tri- phased
Associated or integrated MPPT Voltage range 350-750V
converter type
System configuration Controller stratagem MPPT-AC-Inverter
3.10.4. Direct coupled solar water pumping system
For direct coupled pumping systems, the electricity from the PV modules is sent directly
to the pump, which in turn pumps water through a pipe to where it is needed. This system
is designed to pump water only during the days (sun light). The amount of water pumped
is totally dependent on the amount of sunlight hitting the PV panels and the type of
pump. Because the intensity of the sun and the angle at which it strikes the PV panel
changes throughout the day, the amount of water pumped by this system has also changed
throughout the day Direct-coupled pumping systems are sized to store extra water on
sunny days so it is available on cloudy days and at night. Layout of the solar photovoltaic
water pumping system components are indicated in figure 3.11below.
40
SUN
Charge controller
DC MOTOR with
pump controller
Reservoir
(100m3
Fig 3.12 Components of DC motor PV water pumps system.
Maine pressure
Grounding line
Water test
sensor DC pump
3.10.5 Battery coupled solar water pumping system
For battery coupled pumping systems, electricity from the PV modules is sent directly to
inverter DC/AC than sent to the pump, which in turn pumps water through a pipe to
where it is needed. This system is designed to pump water during the day and used
battery during cloud days. The amount of water pumped is totally dependent on the
amount of sunlight hitting the PV panels as well as battery capacity to discharge and the
type of pump. Because the intensity of the sun and the angle at which it strikes the PV
panel changes throughout the day, the amount of water pumped by this system has also
changed throughout the days. A layout of the solar photovoltaic water pumping system
components are indicated in Figure 3.12 below.
41
Fig 3.13 Schematic structure Components of AC motor PV water pumps system.
When properly sized all the components for battery coupled Photovoltaic water pumping
system, by using Pump type Model PS9KC-SJ17-11,Manufacture;Lorentz Pump
technology Centrifugal multistage ,Motor AC motor tri- phased Associated or integrated
converter( DC/AC) type MPPT Voltage range 350-750V,arranged as figure 3.13(a) and
the output flow rate verse Electrical power of fixed head as figure 3.139(b)
42
(a) (B)
3.14 Schematic representation of the Solar-PV system providing power to a water

pump(a) and Pump model behavior; Flow rate verse Electrical power of fixed head(B)
3.11. Solar PV water pumping system software overview
Now a day there is different simulating solar PV water pumping systems software. Those
are PVsyst, HOMER; RET Screen, PVLIB, etc. All the software‟s have their own
advantage and disadvantage, but for this thesis, PVsyst software is used for the study,
sizing and data analysis of complete PV systems (grid-connected, stand-alone, pumping
or DC-grid systems). It includes extensive meteorological and PV systems components
databases, as well as various solar energy tools (meteorological graphs, solar geometry
parameters, irradiation models, PV-array behavior under partial shadings, optimizing
tools for orientation, voltage, due to its easily manipulation, creating own meteorology
file, and the link of costs of the manufacturers made to choose PVsyst 6.73 software to
simulated solar PV water pumping system.
The inputs of this software are monthly average solar irradiation, average daily water
demand, well depth characteristics, selection of PV modules and pump. The simulation
process on PVsyst software operates on hourly values. During simulation analysis using
PVsyst software the following points should be considered. The initial point is
determining the global effective irradiation and the maximum power point (MPP), once
irradiation and MPP determined, the simulation is dependent on the Pumping type and
configuration [5].
43
For any running hour, the simulation has to determine the Flow rate delivered by the
pump, as a function of the Head and the available electrical energy.
The simulation has to manage the situations where the tank is full (limiting the pump‟s
flow at the user's draw, and stopping the pump during the rest of the hour), and when the
tank is empty. For obtaining a consistent balance, all energies should be carefully
accounted for, in any running situation [5].The final relevant results include mainly the
water delivered to the users, the missing water, the excess (unused) PV energy, and the
system efficiency during the year (or performance ratio). And, if economical features are
defined, the global investment, yearly costs and cost of the water pumped in m³
determined.
3.12 Economic Analysis
Economic comparison between PV water pumping system and diesel driven generator
pump options is compared for 20 years of pumping time. The comparison was made by
LCC method based on the assumption that both pumping systems should satisfy the
volume of water required by the user community. The diesel generator pump powered
with a capacity of 22 kW and the PV array load of 38.25 kW (using minimum solar
available at the site) are compared to satisfy the same water requirement of the user
community. In order to calculate all costs, the future costs are reduced to the present
value using a discount rate.
The economic analysis in this research used the life cycle savings analysis method. This
method takes into account the time value of money and allows detailed consideration of
the complete range of costs.
Different manufacturers gave different life spans for their collectors but generally
collectors would last for at least 20 up to 25 years [5, 36]. For the PVsyst 6.73 software in
this thesis used for economic analysis as life spans of the project taken 20 years for both
systems direct and battery coupled PV water pumping system.
44
3.13 Life cycle cost (LCC)
Life cycle cost (LCC) is the sum of all the costs associated with an energy delivery
system over its lifetime or life span in today`s money, and takes into account the time
value of money. In this assumption to be performed, water pumping systems is feasible if
it providing both interns of the lifecycle cost is lower than the other power supply system
as well as it is convenient to make comparisons of low unit water cost at the same time.
The life cycle cost includes investment cost and present worth of operating cost during
the useful life of the plant. The operating costs of solar PV water pumping systems are
mainly the maintenance and pumping cost. The life cycle cost of solar water pumping
system is determined from the investment cost and the present value of maintenance and
pumping cost distributed over the life as follows [5]:
LCC = CI + Cm ( )-------------------------------------------------------------------3.17
Where: CI = is the investment cost of solar water pumping system, and

= is annual maintenance cost (1% of capital cost).
i= inflation rate
n= is the years of economic analysis
3.14 Life-cycle savings (LCS)
The life cycle saving or net present value(NPV) is the difference between the life-cycle
costs of a conventional fuel-only system and the life-cycle cost of the solar plus auxiliary
energy system. It compares the present value of money today to the present value of
money in future, taking inflation and returns into account [38]. The NPV is given by
∑ ( )-----------------------------------------------------------------------------3.18
where „ ‟ is the net cash flow (the amount of cash, inflow minus outflow) at time; `t‟ is
the time of the cash flow, „i‟ is the discount rate (thus the rate of return that could be
earned on an investment in the financial markets with similar risk; the opportunity cost of
capital) and „N‟ is the total number of periods (life span of the project).
45
The net present value method calculates the present value of all the yearly cash flows (i.e.
capital costs and net savings) incurred or accrued throughout the life of a project, and
summates them. Costs are represented as a negative value and savings as a positive value.
The sum of all the present values is known as the net present value (NPV). The higher the
net present value, the more attractive the proposed project. If the resulting NPV is greater
than zero, then a project is determined to be economically viable.
3.15 .Payback period
The payback period also known as the amortization period is defined as the time needed
for the fuel cost savings to equal the total initial investment of a project. The payback
period of an investment taking into account the time value of money is given by the
expression [37];
N p
=
Where ‘ ‟ is the initial investment for solar pumping system, ‘ ‟ is the auxiliary energy
inflation rate, „F‟ is the annual solar fraction, ‘L‟ is the annual pumping load and ‘CF1’ is
the unit cost of auxiliary energy for the first year. The product of annual solar fraction,
annual pumping load and the unit cost of auxiliary energy for the first year gives the
annual energy savings (also known as annual fuel cost savings) for the first year.
46
CHAPTER FOUR
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
PVsyst 6.73 software were used to simulate the SPVWPS of a 30.5cm diameter borehole,
9 litre/s flow rate, 59 m deep water pumping system at Gallessa village.
4.1 Simulation result of the software
Table 4.1 Simulation result of PVsyst 6.73 for both direct with battery coupled PVWP
systems
Without battery coupled With battery coupled PV
PV sizing system (AC) system
PV(DC) system
Total area 68.7 m2 78m2
Water pumped per 31682
30896 m3
year
Energy at pump 8680 KWh 10439kWh
Missing water 0.5 % -0.2
System efficiency 42.7 51.6
Pump efficiency 60.7 % 78.4
Max. loss of load in 5.7% on July and 0.2 %
the year on August
According to the Simulation result as shown in table 4.1, above the selected PV size and
pump power is able to provide 98.5 % and 100% of water need for Gallessa village
community by both DC and AC powered PV water pumping system respectively.
Ethiopian summer time is may-September. During this time, there is a significant
reduction of water supply especially on July, 5.7% and on August 0.2% from DC solar
PV water pumping system rather than AC-system. The energy balances of the solar PV
water systems were shown in figure 4.1 below for DC and figure 4.2 for AC photovoltaic
components.
47
Figure 4.1: Energy balance of Gallessa village direct coupled (DC) PV system
The above figure shows the normalized value of effective energy at pump, collection
loss, system loss and unused energy (tank full) in the system. As can be seen, the unused
energy of the system is 1.2KWh/KWp/day this is because the water needs per day were
85.1m3/day but the pump is expected to pump 97.2m3/day to the storage so there was
some unused energy. The system (converter and threshold) loss and collection loss were a
little higher this is because the system is designed to pump maximum possible amount of
water per day using all available energy on the system.
48
Figure4.2: Energy balance of Gallessa village battery coupled (AC) PVWP system.
The above figure shows the normalized value of effective energy at pump
4.38kWh/KWp/d, collection loss 1.17KWh/KWp/day, system loss (0.39) and unused
energy (tank full) in the system 0.47kwh/KWp/day. This is because the water needs per
day were 85.1m3/day but the pump is expected to pump 100m3/day to the storage so there
was some unused energy. The system (converter and threshold) loss and collection loss
were a little higher this is because the system is designed to pump maximum possible
amount of water per day using all available energy on the system.
4.2 Economic analysis of SPVWPS
The economic analysis of solar PVWP system has been assessed using PVsyst 6.73
software and all the costs in table 4.2 are taken from the manufacturer web-page based on
the specification of components from PVsyst database. The financial analysis used
United States dollar. According to the Ethiopian commercial bank 1$=27.85 ETB.
49
Table 4.2: Cost value for both PVWPS systems
Description Estimated Costs for Estimated Costs for battery

direct coupled PVWP coupled PVWP system
system
PV module(20 year life 26 units of Modules 36 units of Modules
span assumed) 420Wp=0.896$/Wp 420Wp=0.896$/Wp
Supporting/ integration 0.5936$/piece(one 0.5936$/piece(one support for each
structures support for each module module assumed)
assumed)
Pump cost including 2 unity 3809.7$/piece 5079.6$/piece(10year life span
controller (10year life span assumed
assumed)
Inverter cost - 5240$/piece(20year life span
assumed
Battery cost - 16 unit of battery =203.15 $/piece
(10 year life span assumed
Setting and wiring 20% of the sub-total cost 20% of the subtotal cost
Running cost(including 5% of the subtotal 5% of the subtotal

motor replacement after
10years and maintenance
Gross investment 39,669.95 $ 50,030.26$
(excluding taxes)
net investment (15% tax) 45,620.44 $ 57,534.8$
Assuming a loan period of 20 year and interest rate of 5% [38], the annuity (yearly cost
without including the running cost) is equal to 3183.22 $/year and the yearly cost
including the running cost (maintenance, taxes, replacement cost)would be equal to
5174$/year for direct coupled PV water pumping system. There were shown in
appendix4.
50
4.2.1 Cost of water
The water cost reflects the cost of water and therefore provides a measure for
the cost at which water at a particular installation needs to be sold at in order to recover
the all-inclusive costs for providing the water supply service.
The cost of m3of the pumped water by PV water pumping system were calculated by
PVsyst software shown in appendix 2 is calculated using the cost annuity method based
on the LCC analysis [5].
Cost of m3 of water pumped = 4.1
= =0.10 $/m3 for direct coupled PV water pumping
system without any subsidies.

In similar ways total yearly cost is 4015.56$, and water pumped per year were31,682m3,
Thus; the cost of water pumped by battery coupled solar PV water pumping system
would be 0.128$/m3.
Table 4.3: Assumptions taken for the both SPVWPS and the existing DWPS
Type of activity PV( DC) PV(AC system) Diesel powered system(DG)

system
Operating life 20 year 20 year 10 year
Life time for generator 20 year 20 year 10 year
Maintenance cost from total 1% 1% 10%
capital cost per year
Salvage value 5% 5% 20% capital cost engine
Replacement cost No Battery(after Generator(after10yrs)
10yrs)
Discount rate inflation rate (%) 5 5 5
For diesel generator water pumping system the maintenance cost assumption as shown in
table 4.3 above and the fuel consumption cost per year collectively known as total yearly
cost which equals 8,191.451$/year and the total pumped water per year were 35,478
m3/yr So, the cost of water pumped by the diesel system were 0.231$/m3. As can be seen
the cost of water pumped per cubic meter for DPS were much higher than water pumped
51
by both direct coupled and battery coupled PV water pumping system. The economic
evaluations of SPVWPS using PVsyst software were summarized as in table 4.4below.
Table 4.4: Summary of economic evaluation using PVsyst software
Description Direct coupled (DC) Battery coupled PV water

PVW system pumping system
Net investment($) 39,669.95 50,030.26
Water pumped (m3/year) 30896 31,682.73
Total yearly cost($/year) 3,183 4015.56
Annuities ($/year) 3183.22 4015.56
Water cost($/m3) 0.10 0.128
From the above summary of economic evaluation of PVsyst software we conclude the advantage
and its disadvantages of both PV water pumping system according to table 4.5 below.
Table 4.5 Summary Advantage and disadvantage PV water pump system
Advantage Disadvantage
High reliability (good system design) High initial capital investment
Low operating costs Modular energy storage increases costs
Local fuel (not imported fossil fuels) Lack of infrastructure and limited access to
Long, useful life (from 20+ years) technical services in remote areas
Clean energy Variable energy production based on
Dry-weather production maximized changing meteorological conditions
No on-site operator required
Low operation and maintenance costs
4.3. Financial comparison of SPVWPS and Diesel powered system
The cost comparison between for both SPV system and Diesel system considered capital
cost, operating cost, and maintenance and replacement cost. These costs altogether refer
to the life cycle cost. LCC is the sum of the capital cost and the present worth of the
52
recurrent and replacement costs. In order to compare different systems offering the same
service or output the life cycle costing approach is used. This approach allows systems to
be compared on an equal basis by reducing all future costs, which occur at different
intervals of the systems life, to one value, referred to as the LCC of a system or project.
Future costs include operating costs, Diesel consumption, maintenance costs (engine oil,
filters, brushes, valves, labour, etc.) and replacements. For this thesis a 20 year life cycle
cost comparison between both (DCAC) SPV water pumping and DG water pumping
were taken. The assumptions taken for the financial analysis of SPVWPS and the existing
DWPS [5] were shown in table 4.6.
The existing 40KVA generator has a flow rate of 9 litre/sec, worked for 3 hours per day -
and consumed 30 litres fuel per day(10 litre/hr.) and has a cost of 7181.33$.
Under normal operation conditions the life of this generator is assumed to be 20,000 hours
and to satisfy the daily water requirement it has to operate for 3 hours every day. Based on
this the generator must be replaced after 10 years of operation. Than calculated fuel cost
Annual fuel cost= Specific fuel consumption ×Total operating hours in a year ×fuel rate
According to [39], the diesel price in Ethiopia were 0.59$/litre but due to transportation
service in Gallessa the diesel price were 0.68$/litre
Annual fuel cost = 10 lit/hr. × (3hr/day×365day/year)×0.68$/lit = 7446$/year.
Fuel cost of diesel generator for 20 year=20 year*14,892$/year=148,920$.
The pump, storage tank, and distribution line cost are not included in this analysis
because they are considered the same for both cases. Thus; LCC for diesel generator
calculated as follow.
LCC=CI+ [1-
=7,181.33+ [1- =176209.05$
Where: CI = is the investment cost of solar water pumping system, and

Cm = is annual maintenance cost (10% of capital cost).
i=discount rate, n= is the of years economic analysis
Based on the above assumptions and properties of the existing generator, the financial
comparisons were shown in table 4.6 for all system.
53
Table4.6: Financial comparison of SPV and DP system using LCC analysis
Description items Direct coupled PV(DC) Battery coupled PV(AC) Diesel system
system Cost($) system Cost($) Cost($)
Capital cost(CC) 39,669.95 50,030.26 7181.33
Fuel cost for 20 years - - 148,920
O Maintenance cost 7,933.99 10,006.052 14,362.66
Replacement cost - 4,875.6 7,181.33
Total cost 47,603.94 64,911.912 177,645.32
Salvage value 1983.5 3245.6 1436.27
Payback period(years) 6.6yrs 8.3yrs
NVV($) 13,343.76 16,932.78
Life cycle cost 45,620.44 61,666.32 176,209.05
These can also be shown in chart as in figure4.3
200,000.00
180,000.00
160,000.00
140,000.00
120,000.00
100,000.00
80,000.00 Direct coupled PV
60,000.00
40,000.00 With battery coupled
20,000.00 Diesel generetor
0.00
Figure 4.3: Financial comparisons of both PVWPS and DWPS
As shown in figure 4.3, the initial cost of PVS(in both DC AC solar PV water pumping
system) is much higher than DPS ,but maintenance and replacement costs were much
lower than DPS to the reverse the DPS has lower initial cost, higher maintenance and
replacement cost. Due to its lower operation and maintenance costs, the longer expected
54
useful life as well as the higher reliability of a PV system could make the system more
suitable.
4.4 Environmental impact assessment
Energy systems are known as a major source of environmental pollution. Therefore, the
selection of a particular energy system can influence the extent of pollutant emissions
dispersed into the environment. Criteria developed to choose from various energy
technologies need to take into consideration not only technical but also socio-political
aspects to ensure that the social and environmental costs and benefits of a chosen energy
technology have been taken into account. Emissions generated during the life-cycle of a
given energy system are dispersed into the environment and impose a burden on living
systems gradual.
These burdens have an impact on the physical and biological environment as well as on
human health, and thus these impacts impose significant costs on society. Costs imposed
by pollution have in the past been treated as external to the energy economy and have not
been incorporated into the total costs of energy production and distribution.
Diesel contains 0.73kg of carbon per liter [39]. Carbon combines with oxygen to from
carbon dioxide (CO2) with an oxidation factor of 99%. Using the molecular weight of
carbon (12) in relation to CO2 (44) it is calculated (0.73*(44÷12)) that the content of CO2
in one liter of diesel is equivalent to 2.67kg. The existing DPS consumed 10,950litre/year
which is equivalent to 29.2 tons of CO2 per year released to environment.
55
CHAPTER FIVE
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1. Conclusion
The basic principle consider under this Thesis is to study the Feasibility study to
replacing the existing diesel water pump by either DC or AC photovoltaic water pumping
system based on economic and financial ground with the objective of offering
alternatives options to avoid heavy loss and minimize the risk, which the investor (NGO)
or as well as the financer of the project may have to incur, if implemented. It has been
done in the present work to provide drinking water supply for the study area by determine
the potential available solar insulation with other requirements. Considering diesel price
escalation, the economic advantage of solar pumping system is even higher.
The economical comparison between solar PV and diesel pump were analyzed using
lifecycle saving calculation and PVsyst simulation. The analysis provided that using
photovoltaic for water pumping system only spends 2/3 times of diesel generator cost
Photovoltaic technology is the appropriate technology for water pumping energy source
that can be implemented in study area. In this paper, the feasibility of solar photovoltaic
water pumping systems were investigated at a daily average of 85.1m3/day for the 4255
population of Gallessa village at Debatie woreda. The cost of water without any subsidy
were 0.10$/m3for direct coupled and 0.128$/m3for battery coupled PV water pumping
system but the cost of water by DG were 0.23$/m3.This indicated SPVWPS were more
feasible than DPWS. The life cycle cost analysis of pumping water done proved that the
PV water pumping system is the more economical than Diesel water pumping system
because of several reasons such as no fuel needed to run PV system, low maintenance
and operation costs compared with Diesel pumping system. The results indicated that
more SPV systems can be installed in the country, replacing the existing more expensive
Diesel systems, which would play significant role in achieving the country‟s SDG targets.
Nowadays, the environmental issue becomes one of the main concerns of the world
nations. The environmental assessment indicated that DPS realized 29.2 tons of CO2 per
56
year to the atmosphere and this system polluted the environment highly through process
than an environmental friendly, clean, green Photovoltaic water pumping system.
5.2 Recommendations
Assessment on solar PVWPS to replace exist diesel generator in Gallessa village indicates that
the area has a huge potential on solar energy for water pumping and environmental comfort; so
that it recommended that:
 The government, nongovernmental organizations and the public should use PV water
pumping system in different rural areas of Ethiopia including my study area.
 It would be in the best interest of Ethiopia to utilize PVWPS in different remote areas
which are not yet electrified.
 Further design should be carried out for the selected sizing. Losses due to temperature
should be analyzed more closely; and also should investigate solutions to minimize it.
 Government should give financial incentives or subsidy to private and nongovernmental
organizations to come forward with innovative PV programs and discourage conventional
fuel base pumping.
57
6. REFERANCES
1. Design of Small Photovoltaic (PV) Solar-Powered Water Pump Systems, Technical Note
No. 28, October 2010.
2. Determining the Optimum Solar Water Pumping System for Domestic Use, Livestock
Watering or Irrigation by Brian D. Vick ,R. Nolan Clark USDA-Agricultural Research
Service Conservation and Production Research Lab Bushl and, TX 79012.
3. Ethiopia additional units ordered in Africa‟s largest solar distribution project, Addis
fortune, Elleni Araya, 4 august 2013.
4. Ethiopian Energy Sector Samson Tsegaye, Country Director, Solar Energy Foundation
31/08/2010.
5. Feasibility study of a solar photovoltaic water pumping system for rural Ethiopia, Misrak
Girma, AbebayehuAssefa and Marta Molinas, June 2015.
6. Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Edited by Antonio Luqu Practical
Handbook of Photovoltaic: Kyocera Solar Inc. Solar Water Pump Applications Guide
2001 (downloaded from www. kyocerasolar.com)
7. Ministry of Water Irrigation and Electricity Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue March 2017
8. Optimal sizing of solar water pumping system for small scale irrigation: case study of
Dangila, Muluken Zegeye, Tassew Tadiwos, Abdulkadir Aman, September 2014
9. Photovoltaic powered water pumping systems: design and optimization of an irrigation
system, mariainescardosobexiga 2014.
10. Photovoltaic Without Batteries Doctoral Thesis, Lough borough University, 2003
Masters, Gilbert M. Renewable and Efficient Electric Power Systems John Wiley & Sons
Ltd, 2004
11. Samuel Lakeou (1,2)), Ben O. Latigo (3) Hybrid Solar and Wind Based Renewable
Energy Project in Rural Ethiopia , September 2010
12. Solar Water Pumping Basics: By Cheri s Callahan, PE, UVM Extension Assistant
Professor of Agricultural Engineering and Ben Water man, UVM Extension on New
Farmer Project . 2013
58
13. NASA surface meteorology and solar energy: www.eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/cgi

bin/sse/retscreen.cgi
14. African Development Bank, 2008. Utilization of Solar and Wind Energy for Rural Water
Supply in Ethiopia, Appraisal Report, African Water Facility
15. Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy Design and Implementation Manual for Solar
Water Pumping.
16. Meah, K., Fletcher,S., and Ula,S., Solar photovoltaic water pumping for remote locations,
Renewable and sustainable energy reviews , 12(2),472-487, 2008.
17. Purohit, P., and Michaelowa, A., CDM potentials of SPV pumps in India, Renewable and
sustainable energy reviews, 12 (1), 181-199, 2008.
18. UNEP “Water Policy and Strategy” [internet]: 2005, August; available/ from
(www.unep.org/dpdl/water/,).
19. UNESCO “The UN World Water Development Report” [internet]: 2013, August;
available/ from (www.unesco.org/water/wwap/wwdr/).
20. Akihiro, Oi, Design and Simulation of Photovoltaic Water Pumping System, California
Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo ,2005,103p.
21. G. B. shrertha, L. Goel, „‟ A Study on Optimal Sizing of Stand Alone Photovoltaic
Stations‟ IEEE Trans. on EC, Vol. 13, No. 4, 1998, pp: 373- 377.
22. Purohit P, Michaelowa A. CDM potential of SPV pumps in India. Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2008, pp.181-199.
23. K. Kalaitzakis „‟Optimal PV System Dimensioning with Obstructed Solar Radiation‟‟
Renewable Energy, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp: 51-56.
24. Daud, A., Mahmoud, M., Solar powered induction motor-driven water pump operating on
a desert well, simulation and field tests, science direct, November 2004, pp.701-714.
25. Balouktsis, T. D. Karapantsios, D. Chassapis3, K. David, K. Anastasiou, and A.
Balouktsis3, Methodology for Load Matching and Optimization of Directly Coupled PV
pumping systems, 2007, pp.227-238.
26. Tamer Khatib, A review of designing, installing and evaluating standalone photovoltaic
system, Malasia.Journal applied science, 2010.
27. Yasin, A, Optimal Operation Strategy and Economic Analysis of Rural Electrification of
Atouf Village by Electric Network, Diesel Generator and Photovoltaic System, 2008,114
59
28. "Water The solar Alternative``[internet]:1987avalible /from prod. Sandia

gov/techlib/access-control.cgi/1987/870804).
29. Nafeh .A, Design and Economic Analysis of a Stand-Alone PV System to Electrify a Remote
Area Household in Egypt, 2009
30. A. F. Boehringer “Self Adapting DC-Converter for Solar Spacecraft Power Supply” IEEE
trans. AES, Vol. 4, N 1, Jan. 1968,
31. UNDP and B/G agricultural bureau survey (UNDP and BoA), 1999).
32. MoWIE-Consultancy Services for Solar and Wind Water Pumping Study and Design
Works for Lot 2: Site in Benishangul-Gumz Regional State
33. Antonio Luque and Steven Hagedus “Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering”
Institute of Energy Conversion University of Delaware USA,
34. John A. Duffie and William A. Beckman “Solar Engineering of Thermal Process” Solar
Energy Laboratory University of Wisconsin, Madison.
35. Owura Kofi Amoabeng, august 2012: “assessing the feasibility of solar water heaters”
36. Research Gate Shree Raj Shakya Tribhuvan University Training Manual for Engineering
on solar PV system on 17 November 2014.
37. Dagim Kebede MSc thesis „„Design and Analysis of Solar Thermal System for Hot Water
Supply to Minilik II Hospital New Building‟‟, Addis Ababa, 2016.
38. Emcon consulting group (2006) “feasibility assessment for the replacement of diesel water
pumps with solar water pumps” Namibia.
39. Global petrolprice.com
60
APPENDICES
Appendix 1 geographical site parameters
61
Appendix 2 water needs and hydraulic pressure
62
63
Appendix 3 battery coupled water pump data
64
Appendix 4 pumping system definition and PV module
65
66
PUMPING CONDITION FOR AC POWER PUMP SYSYEM
67
Appendix 5 Economic evaluation
68
69
Appendix Inverter
70
Metrological MAP for Study area
source http://howto.altenergy store.com
71

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Feasibility study for replacing the

BAHIR DAR UNIVERSITY

FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR REPLACING THE EXISTING DIESEL

Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Advisor: Dr .Tassaw Tadiwos

Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

DECLARATION ........................................................................................................................ iii

3.4. Solar resource and photovoltaic system .............................................................................. 23

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOL

Q Flow rate (m3)

KWh Kilowatt- hour

Figure 2.1 Schematic diagram of solar water pump……………….. .......................…... 11

Table 3.1 Solar irradiance data of Gallessa...................................................................... 24

phenomenal growth recently. Solar energy has experienced a remarkable technological

1.2. Statement of the Problem

1.3 Objective of the study

1.3.1 General Objective

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

• To Perform the techno-economic analysis of the Solar PV water pumping system

1.5 Significance of the study

2.1 Power source for water pumping

2.2 Water-pumping Using Renewable Energy Technology

Figure 2.1 Schematic diagram of solar water pump [27]

2.3 Solar PV Water Pumping System in Ethiopia

In developing countries like Ethiopia, generally composed of several villages dispersedly

2.4 Energy Output and Load

2.5. Type tracking system for solar panels

mounting PV panel. PV trackers maximized power generation due to increased direct

2.6 Solar photovoltaic in Ethiopia

2.7 Components of PV system

2.7.1 PV Solar generator

2.7.1.1 Module in parallel

Figure 2.2 .Parallel connections of PV modules

ISG=∑ = I1 + I2 + I3 + ....... + In ……………….………….………….………..…. (2.2)

Vout ∑ VVVV4Vn ………………………………….…………. (2.3)

Iout ∑ IIm

The power of the solar-generator (Pout) is written as

Pout= ∑ ∑ = (V1 + V2+ V3. . . +VnI1 + I2 + I3 . . . +Im (2.4)

2.7.1.2 Modules in Series

Figure 2.3 Series connection of PV modules

optimum. The regulation is normally achieved by pulse-width modulation (PWM) at

2.7.3 Motor and Pump

2.8 Performance and Measured Data

3. MATERIALS AND METHODS

Figure 3.1: Inputs and outputs to PVsyst software

3.1 Description of the project area

Study area (Gallessa)

Figure 3.2: Map of B/G/R/S with Debatie woreda [31]

3.2 Water Source

Figure 3.3 the exist borehole

3.3 .Method of Data Collection

3.4. Solar resource and photovoltaic system

Table 3.1: Solar irradiance data of Gallessa [13]

Figure3.5 Monthly average solar radiation profiles for Gallessa Village

3.6 Determine Total Dynamic Head

3.7 Determine the hydraulic power requirement

Where: Eh= hydraulic power requirement (KWh/day)

g= acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m/s2

3.8. Determine size of pump and motor power

η = Efficiency of pump, in most cases η=60% [36]