The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has prepared the Harmonized

National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA) for the year 2017-2022 and is aligned to

the long-term vision of the Philippine government called AmBisyon 2040. This agenda is to

utilize the economy and social benefit of the people and to adopt to the technologies and

innovation. Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA) has 5 sectors

which tackles corresponding problem in our economy. One of which is Sector 3 that tackles on

Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources. Our study falls on Sector 1 of the Harmonized

National Research and development (HNRDA) which is the National Integrated Basic Research

Agenda (NIBRA). The National Integrated Basic Research Agenda NIBRA has 6 issue-based

programs and our study is aligned with the TUBIG program or “Tubig ay Buhayin at Ingatan”.

This program includes water quality, accessibility, availability and watershed studies.

Water shortage is one of the main problems here in our country. It is caused by the

phenomena called El Niño also it caused by extreme drought in every dry season due to the

effect of the climate change. Climate change causes the rise of temperature and lesser chance of

rain fall specially in the countries near the equator. Here in the South East Asia, the Philippines

is third country that is most affected of drought that leads to the shortage of water. The El Niño

has the greatest effect of water shortage here in our country, for example in Manila, the water

suppliers supply limited water in each part of the city. Because El Niño affects the water level of

the dams that supply the water needs of the city.

Water shortage also hits the provinces, same as urban areas the major causes of water

shortage are El Niño and extreme drought. The dams, rivers and irrigations are some of the

sources of water in rural areas but in dry season some of the sources are frazzled. One of the

provinces that is affected is La Union specifically in barangay Lisqueb in the municipality of

Bacnotan most of the households are located near the mountains, every dry season the residence

experiences drought which leads to water shortage. Most of the households has their own deep

well because the river is on another side of the mountains, there deep well designs have an

approximate depth of 40 ft. from the surface. The neighbor barangay of Lisqueb has a Small

Water Impounding Project (SWIP), for the past years the said SWIP was the primary source of

water of the barangay for it can also supply the neighboring barangays around it and it helps the

farmers in agricultural. Since the SWIP has a damage on its gate, the distribution of water to the

neighboring barangays was stopped and the farmers are also greatly affected. Now that the SWIP

is inactive and is completely dry, the barangay of Lisqueb lose its primary source of water. Since

the barangay rely on deep well, they just use water pumps to have a supply of water, those who

don’t own deep well and water pump needs to fetch water from the deep well at the lower areas

of the barangay. Another problem is that even using water pump to the deep well is not reliable

specially in dry season because every dry season those deep well can’t generate much water. The

need of a good water source is a must in dry season for these places.

One of the most accessible and reliable way to source water is to have a deep well.

According to Skillings & Sons, LLC, when drilling a new deep well, the final depth of the deep

well depends on the geology and the underground water levels on the spot where to dig a deep

well. These days, the drilling companies uses a combination of little educated guesswork,

experience, and expertise to measure the final depth of the deep well. The price for drilling is

related on how deep is the deep well to dig, that’s why it is important to make a contract with a

company that is knowledgeable about the place and skillful to have the estimation accurate

before they begun to drill. There is an underground water storage called aquifer, these spaces

underground holds varying volume of water which can be drilled for deep well. Normally, the
water in New England can be found around 300 feet at most, but for household uses the residents

need to dig deep well from 100 feet to 1000 feet underground.

There are a lot ways to pump water from the deep well, some of which are by using

electrical water pump, diesel operated water pump, submersible pumps and by the use of solar

powered water pumps, here in the country the most commonly used is the electrical water pump.

Using electrical water pump is common because it is the most accessible product that is available

in the market, knowing that the electric power cost in the Philippines is expensive having an

electrical water pump will add up to the monthly electrical bill of the consumer. According to

water pump power consumption by (Amy Rodriguez), water pump moves the water from the

deep well, up to the storage tank in the household that it supplies. Even though the water pump

does not operate continuously, it consumes electricity when it turns on and turns off. There is a

way to calculate the power consumption of a water pump. The typical types of water pump’s

wattage can be differed from 250 watts to 1,100 watts. Example is a specific water pump, take

the wattage then multiply it on how many hours it runs in a day. Next is to multiply it on how

many days does the water pump runs in a year, and then divide it by 1000. This calculation will

show how much is the cost in kilowatt-hours the water pump is using. According to Statista

Research Department (2021) In 2020, Meralco in the Philippines had an average retail electricity

rate of 7.96 Philippine pesos per kilowatt hour. This reflects a 10 percent decrease from the

previous year's average retail rate.

According to Bahadori (2017), solar power water system is common nowadays, lots of

countries uses this water system especially in areas with not much source of good water. Solar

power water system’s principle is briefly described by Bahadori, he says that there are two

methods to power the water system. Thermodynamic conversion and direct conversion method.
In thermodynamic conversion, the solar collector is producing a fluid with high internal energy.

This internal energy may utilize Rankine cycles or in a special designed device. The other is the

direct conversion which is commonly used. It is by converting photovoltaic energy into electrical

energy. Using photovoltaic or solar panel is more economical than solar Rankine cycle.

Meanwhile, Tamoli, et. Al. (2017) concluded that renewable energy sources (RESs) like

solar power, wind, and geothermal energy, played a vital role to reduce the consumption of

conventional energy sources and its environmental impacts for water system applications

wherein agricultural technology is one of it. Machinery, buildings and production facilities used

in the farms are constantly improving. The utility companies found that it is better to use

photovoltaic energy for remote agricultural needs as water supply for crops, livestock and

irrigation. There are two basic components of a solar powered water pumping system are water

pump and photovoltaic panels. The smallest element of the PV panel is the solar cell. Solar cell

has a special layers of semiconductor material, when exposed to sunlight it will produce direct

current (DC) electricity. The produced electricity will supply the DC water pump that will supply

water for everyday use. The battery will store the extra electricity from the solar panel to be used

later by the water pump.

Also, Alkhubaizi (2017), solar powered water pumping systems have got the interest and

attention of many researchers. Lots of past generation of researchers and innovators have created

ways to discover materials that can be used to make a system that supports turning heat into

electricity. They have acknowledged that the sun gives us photovoltaic energy (solar energy)

which can be converted into electrical energy. Using solar energy for water system is one of the

results of the innovations which is used to pump water for people, crops and livestock. This

innovation in technology is important and it is also wise use of solar energy. Using photovoltaic
energy to a water system does not require a lot of maintenance. Nowadays, most farm owners

gained interest in this kind of technology, their main interest is to provide sufficient water supply

for their crops and livestock and also for their own uses. The difference to the existing water

pumps is that the system’s power source relies on solar energy.

Later, Eker (2005) says that agricultural technology is quickly changing. Buildings,

machineries and production facilities for farm uses are constantly improving. Numerous

photovoltaic solutions are suitable for agricultural applications. The applications are combined of

individual installations and systems installed when utility companies found out that it is better to

use photovoltaic energy for agricultural needs. There are only two basic components for a solar

powered water pumping system, that is the photovoltaic or solar panels and water pump. The

solar cell is the smallest element for a photovoltaic panel. In a solar cell, there is two or more

special layers of semiconductor materials. This semiconductor material produces a direct current

(DC) electricity when it is directly under the sunlight. The electricity will be stored in the battery

which will then power the DC water pump.

Meanwhile Sreewirote & Leelaiindakrairerk (2016), farmers in Thailand needs to install

water pumping system to irrigate their farm lands because they are far from the water source.

Solar powered water pump system is one of the systems that applied photovoltaic panel to a

water pump as a source of power. In sunny days, the photovoltaic panel generates solar energy

and store it in a battery to be used later. There are lots of benefits in using the photovoltaic or

solar energy, it is the reduce of energy cost and the impact to the environment compared using

the traditional diesel-powered water pump.

Also, Krieger & Mohankumar (2014), their goal is to design a remote solar powered

water pump controller. The system has two parts which is the transmitter and the receiver/pump
end. The transmitter end has a different part which are the 1.5W solar panel, an RF transmitter, a

microcontroller and a float sensor. Meanwhile, the receiver/pump end has two 40W solar panel,

an RF receiver, a microcontroller, a water pump and a hose. The remote solar powered water

pump controller needs a steel frame to hold the solar panels. Also, to power the microcontrollers

a power supply circuit is built. The microcontrollers are programmed at the software

development to enable the communication over a 433 MHz channel. When there is enough

sunlight the pump will fetch water from the pump end to the transmitter end, same goes if the

storage container is not full. The state of the container will be sent from transmitter to the

receiver wirelessly.

Later Yousuf, et. Al. (2012) intends to make a three-phase induction motor controller for

a solar powered water pump. In numerous places, inadequate and disrupted power supply has

caused damages in an industrial activities and households that requires water supply.

Agricultural products have received damage also as most irrigation process requires electricity to

operate. In Bangladesh, DC motor is what they are using for solar applications simply because its

speed and the torque control, but DC motors are quite expensive. Also, its commutator and

brushes needed a regular maintenance. Three-phase induction motor can operate well but it needs

an inverter. Yousuf, et. Al. focuses on the development of the three-phase inverter to power the

induction motor by the design techniques and optimal control that can replace the DC motor.

Their prototype setup with the three-phase induction motor was successful, with 320W solar

panel and a three-phase inverter with low-cost gate drive circuit.

Meanwhile Kumar & Singh (2017) says that to optimize the generated power of the solar

photovoltaic (PV) while operating a maximum power point tracking technique. A solar

photovoltaic water pump that is driven by brushless DC motor is usually required a DC-DC
conversion stage. Power conversion stage like this type usually leads to complexity, size,

increase in cost and the efficiency reduces. They address that this is a unique solution that

removes the DC-DC conversion stage in the single stage solar photovoltaic energy conversion

system that feeds in BLDC motor pump. It is proposed to the BLDC motor control to use a

simple control technique that has the ability to operate a solar photovoltaic array at its peak

power while operating in a common voltage source inverter. This proposed control will remove

the BLDC motor phase current sensor. The speed control and the soft start for the motor pump

has no supplementary control, but the solar photovoltaic array can control the speed of the BLDC

motor pump through an optimum power.

Later Megalingan & Gedela (2017), many places in India uses a water pumping system

that is fossil fuel-based to irrigate the farmlands due to an insufficiency of electricity. Using

fossil fuel has a big impact and causes wide damages to the nature as it releases dangerous

greenhouse gases. Also, by using nuclear and thermal power plants for conventional generations

of the electricity can cause damage to the environment. An automated water pumping system

that uses solar energy is a better alternative rather than using a water pumping system that is

fossil-fuel based. This water pumping system is automated that is why it will only be switched

on when the land is at the critical level which will be detected by the moisture sensor that is

placed in the farmlands. The heart of the system is an intelligent microcontroller-based circuit

board. Megalingan & Gedela conducted a case study in a small town in India. The families in the

said village are only relying on agriculture. They are using a water pumping system that uses

diesel to be operated which is high-priced and also causes harm to the nature. The villager’s

profit is being spent mostly by buying diesel to run their water pumping system. While using this
automated water pumping system that is solar energy based is of a bigger help for the villagers

because they do not need to buy diesel. And it is also environment friendly.

Also, Wogasso, et.al. (2017) has designed a small-scale irrigation system that uses a

water pump that is solar energy operated which replaces the conventional system that is using

natural fuels exhaustible to the environment. Wogasso, et.al. has concentrated on solar power

source because of its volatile nature than other fuel resources and also of its abundance and

nature friendly. Solar energy operated water pumps can be also applied in a mountainous area

where the electricity can’t reach. The conventional system is way more costly that the solar

energy operated water pumps.

Later Suhagiya, et.al. (2015), the solar powered water pumping system is providing clean

and safe water for livestock and crops in the sufficient quantities continues to a major concern

for ranchers and farmers. A designed solar powered water pumping system for remote areas was

operated to find out the reliability and performance of the systems and its components. When the

solar radiations intensity is exceeded, the system will start to pump water from the source. When

maximum flow of intensity is reached and with radiation intensity, the flow will be increased

linearly. The maximum flow is dependent on using the radiation intensity as well as the correct

controller adjustment. This solar powered water pumping system is operated in direct current

(DC). Also, the solar power system’s output will change depends on the weather and if it is

direct to the sunlight throughout the day. The photovoltaic module is the power source of the

solar powered water pumping system, it does not have any moving parts, it does not require

maintenance and it will last for decades. A solar powered water pumping system that is designed

properly would be effective and reliable. The solar powered water pumping system is usually

used for several applications like irrigation, livestock watering and water supply.
 The photovoltaic energy is a clean and renewable source of energy that converts solar

radiation into electricity. Unlike using fossil fuel or any other types of energy that needs fuel to

operate, photovoltaic solar energy does not generate waste and it is environment friendly. By

using this type of energy, we could help the nature and it does not generate any greenhouse gases

and also the consumers will save more because they don’t need to buy any fuel anymore.

The semiconductor device that is called photovoltaic cell absorbs the photons or light

particles and releasing the electrons generating electric current. There are three types of

semiconductor silicon that is being used for photovoltaic cell. Amorphous silicon has the lowest

price but it has disordered crystalline network that’s why its efficiency is 8% to 9%, makes it the

lowest. Polycrystalline silicon is good and cheap but its efficiency is 13% to 16% and the heat

affects its performance and shortens its lifespan. Monocrystalline silicon is the most commonly

used for photovoltaic cell because its efficiency of 18% to 20% on average, meaning it can

produce more power per square foot. Also, it is more efficient in warm weathers than

polycrystalline silicon. In this study, it uses monocrystalline solar panel.

The generated electric current from the solar panel will be stored in the battery. There are

different types of battery to be used for solar panel. Lithium-ion battery, it is the most popular

battery for solar panel because it has long lifespan and it does not require any maintenance. Lead

acid battery is the most known battery because of its availability to the market and for its

reliability and low cost, but this needs maintenance regularly. Nickel cadmium battery is used for

commercial-scale projects because it can operate in extreme temperatures. Flow battery is very

expensive and it is larger than any other battery that’s why it is mostly used for large-scale

battery storage. In this study it uses rechargeable sealed lead acid maintenance free battery.
 As stated, photovoltaic solar energy is renewable and it is environmentally friendly. But

the other advantage of this energy is that the surrounding has abundance of free raw materials

like the solar energy to produce electricity. Also, the solar energy is versatile because it can

generate anywhere as long as there is sunlight to produce electricity.

The cost for photovoltaic solar energy is much lower than using fossil fuel. Anyone who

uses photovoltaic solar energy does not need to buy any diesel for their machines or water

system. The only cost that you will be spending is for the installation and when there is a need

for maintenance in the system. There are some photovoltaic solar energy systems that doesn’t

need maintenance but it cost more in installation.

Using fossil fuel can cause harm because it creates harmful gases that greatly contribute

to greenhouse effect. The smoke created by the vehicles using any fuels affects the human body,

animals, and the environment, it also makes the surroundings warm. The efficiency of most

fossil fuel plants is around 33% to 40% and the remaining 60% to 67% of energy turns to heat

that is wasted. Thus, the photovoltaic solar energy is safer to use and we can acquire more

benefits than using fossil fuel.

DC Circuit Breaker is used to protect the main circuits like solar photovoltaic arrays,

battery banks, and inverters. It can also protect individual loads that works with direct current

(DC). In DC, the voltage output is constant, that’s why the direct current circuit breaker (DCCB)

must have a supplementary arc extinguishing measures. In order to simplify the interruption, this

device is commonly having a mechanism to lengthen and dissipate the electric arc.

If this study will be implemented, it will greatly help the farmers and residents in

mountainous areas where water cannot be easily acquired. Mostly they need to make deep wells
for their water supply, but in dry season the residents and farmers experiences drought. The

residents need to deepen their deep well just to source water or they need to wake up early to go

down in the fields just to fetch water. The farmers often use diesel powered water pump, to fetch

water from river banks or small dams, but using diesel powered water pump is not enough to

supply water to the crops or livestock, just like in Barangay Lisqueb in Bacnotan, La Union.

Using this study, solar powered water system, the residents and farmers don’t have to

worry about the cost of diesel or any fuel because this study uses photovoltaic solar energy. And

also, the residents won’t have to worry about the supply of water even in summer where there is

a drought because this study has a tank or reservoir to store water for the water system that the

residents and farmers can use daily. Even in rainy season where there is not much sunlight to get

a photovoltaic solar energy, this water system can still be operated because the electricity from

the solar panel can be stored in the battery.

Since water system is significant, this study will concentrate on developing water system that

enable to restore and supply water during drought season. Through the use of Arduino, we aim to

control the switch on and off of the water pump. It is a challenge to make a solar power water

system that can be operated to solve the water supply during drought season. However, the same

conception of this study can then be extended to another study by seeking an appropriate

approach to water system.

The creation of renewable sources has been encouraged by the government and in

response to the need of a renewable energy product, the researchers are motivated to conduct a

study on an indigenous way of creating a renewable energy source particularly on the design and

development of Solar Powered Water System.