I.

INTRODUCTION

Agriculture is a high-energy-demanding industry. Electrical and mechanical power are required

in agriculture for a variety of activities such as land preparation, seeding, irrigation, and harvesting.
Additionally, water pumping and distribution via irrigation systems necessitate the availability of
consistent and dependable energy resources. The water-energy nexus is important in agriculture, and
any increase in demand in one sector has a knock-on effect on the other.
Solar technologies are increasingly appealing to both large and small-scale farmers. Solar
powered irrigation systems (SPIS) provide dependable and affordable energy, potentially lowering
irrigation energy costs. They can provide a relatively flexible and climate-friendly alternative energy
source, particularly in rural areas where diesel fuel is expensive or where reliable access to the
electricity grid is unavailable.
In a solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS), electricity is generated by solar photovoltaic
(PV) panels and used to power pumps for irrigation water abstraction, lifting, and/or distribution. SPIS
can be used on a variety of scales, ranging from individual or community vegetable gardens to large
irrigation schemes (Pluschke & Schnetzer, n.d.).
Solar irrigation technology is gaining popularity around the world, and governments are
promoting strategies to promote renewable energy solutions, including solar energy. Solar-powered
irrigation can be especially effective in the agricultural sector, where frequent energy shortages disrupt
supply needed for lifting and distributing irrigation water. However, challenges remain in the
monitoring and governance of abstraction via water pumping systems. Nonetheless, well-managed
solar-powered irrigation represents a dependable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable
solution to farmers' vulnerability to energy shortages, which impedes production capacity.

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
 II. OBJECTIVES
The objective of the exercise is to design a solar powered irrigation system for approximately

3000 m2 farm area. Two sources of water are available, an irrigation canal located 50 m east from the

proposed tank location and a borehole with depth of 10 m where the static water level lies 8 m from the

surface while the submersible pump is 9 m below the surface. The difference in elevation from the surface

water of the canal to the pump location is 1 meter. The tank will be located 4 meters from ground level.

III. METHODOLOGY

Comprising four members each group, the students were able to design the following:

1. Drip Irrigation System Layout and Design for the farm considering the three crops mentioned above.
Include components and sizes

2. Furrow Irrigation System Layout and Design for the farm considering the three crops mentioned
above. Include technical specifications

3. Overlay the irrigation system in the base map of the farm lot. Draw in CAD, showing the laterals,
main and sub main, and other accessory fittings and structures as necessary.

4. Using PAES/PNS and DA Technical Bulletin as guides, determine the following:

4.4.1. Wire sizes and types

4.4.2. Mounting Fixtures

4.4.3. Tanks/Reservoir Volume

4.1. SPIS Setup Drawing

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:02/23/23 Score:
 4.2. Crop water requirement (PAES - Irrigation Structures)

4.3. Total water to be delivered considering all conveyance losses

4.4. SPIS pump discharge requirement based on average sun hours

4.5. Total Dynamic Head

4.4. Component Selection and Sizing

4.4.4. Pump (Type and Size)

4.4.5. Solar PV Array

4.4.6. Solar Charge Controller

4.4.7. Inverter

IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

A. Site Potential for Energy Application

• From solar atlas

Location: Barangay Estrella, Rizal, Nueva Ecija

15.644883°, 121.090288°
unnamed road, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Time zone: UTC+08, Asia/Manila [PST]

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
 PROJECT SITE

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
CROP PROFILE
Crop Planted:
Chili (12949.42 m2)

• Crop spacing (Per plant) – 0.75 m

• Crop spacing (Per row) – 0.75 m
• Total crops – 1587

Eggplant (792.48 m2)

• Crop spacing (Per plant) – 0.45 m

• Crop spacing (Per row) – 1.20 m
• Total crops – 453

Tomato (735.25 m2)

• Crop spacing (Per plant) – 0.60 m

• Crop spacing (Per row) – 0.90 m
• Total crops – 500

Farm Profile
Geographic
Rainfall: there is no rainfall; 0
Temperature: Max = 27.8 °C; Min = 26.2 °C
Relative Humidity: 83.64%
Wind Velocity: 8 km/h

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
Crops
Planted: Chili (1249.42m2), Eggplant (792.48 m2), Tomato(735.25 m2)
Rotation: No Rotation
Schedule: Whole Year

DRIP IRRIGATION LAYOUT

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
FURROW IRRIGATION LAYOUT

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
CROP WATER REQUIREMENT (PAES - IRRIGATION STRUCTURES)

4.1. Crop water requirement (PAES - Irrigation Structures)

𝟗𝟎𝟎
𝟎.𝟒𝟎𝟖 𝚫(𝑹𝒏 −𝑮)+ 𝛄 𝒖 (𝒆 −𝒆𝒂 )
𝑻+𝟐𝟕𝟑 𝟐 𝒔
ETo = 𝚫+𝛄 (𝟏+𝟎.𝟑𝟒 𝒖𝟐 )

where:
Eto - reference evapotranspiration, mm day-1
Rn - net radiation at the crop surface, MJ m-2 day-1
G - soil heat flux density, MJ m-2 day-1
T - air temperature at 2 m height, °C
u2 - wind speed at 2 m height, m s-1
es - saturation vapor pressure, kPa
ea - actual vapor pressure, kPa
es –ea - saturation vapor pressure deficit, kPa
Δ - slope vapor pressure curve, kPa °C-1
γ - psychrometric constant, kPa °C-1

Mean temperature
𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥+𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛
Tmean = 2
36.23+26.39
Tmean = 2
Tmean = 29.81 °C

Note: temperature came from CLSU-PAGASA year 2022

Slope of Saturation Vapor Pressure Curve, Δ

Using Tmean and
Table B.4 (PAES 602:2016)
By interpolation:
29.5 = 0.237
29.81 = x
30 = 0.243

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
 By interpolation
29.81− 29.5 𝑥− 0.237
= 0.243−0.237
30−29.5
X = 0.241 kPa/°C
∆ = 0.241 kPa/°C

Psychrometric Constant, γ
Using z and Table B.5 (PAES 602:2016)
Z = 71.47
γ = 0.067 kPa/°C

Mean Saturation Vapor Pressure, es

𝑒𝑜 (𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥)+𝑒𝑜 (𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛)
Es = = 2
Using Tmax and Tmin and Table B.6
Tmax = 36.23
Tmin = 26.39

By interpolation
Tmax = 36.23

36 = 5.941
36.23 = x
36.5 = 6.106
36.23− 36 𝑥− 5.941
= 6.106−5.941
36.5−36
X = 6.02

By interpolation
Tmin = 26.39

26 = 3.361
26.39 = x
26.5 = 3.462
26.39− 26 𝑥− 3.361
=
26.5−26 3.462−3.361
X = 3.44

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
 By interpolation & using Table B.6:

eo Tmax = 6.02 kPa

eo Tmin = 3.44 kPa
es = (6.02 kPa + 3.44 kPa) / 2
es = 4.73 kPa

Actual Vapor Pressure, ea

Using RHmax (recommended if there are errors in RHmin)
ea = eo (tmin) (RHmax / 100)
ea = 3.44 kPa (76.25 / 100)
ea = 2.62 kPa

Vapor Pressure Deficit, es – ea

= 4.73 – 2.62 = 2.11 kPa

Extraterrestrial Radiation, Ra
Using latitude and
Table B.7 (PAES 602:2016)

Latitude = 15.64 °N
By interpolation
14.8 = 38
15.64 = x
16.1 = 36
15.64− 14.8 𝑥− 38
= 36−38
16.1−14.8
X = 36.71
Ra = 36.71 MJm−2day−1

Mean Daylight Hours, N

Using latitude and Table B.8 (PAES 602:2016)
Latitude = 15.64 °N
N=?

By interpolation
14 = 11.2
15.64 = x
16 = 11.1
15.64− 14 𝑥− 11.2
= 11.1−11.2
16−14

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
 X = 11.12
N = 11.12 hours

Relative Sunshine Duration, n/N

n = 3.98 hours
N = 11.12 hours
n/N = 3.98 / 11.12
n/N = 0.36

Solar Radiation, Rs
𝑛
Rs = (0.25 + 0.50 𝑁) Ra
3.98
Rs = (0.25 + 0.50 11.12) 36.71 MJm−2day−1
Rs = 15.75 MJm−2day−1

Clear-sky Solar Radiation, Rso

2 (15.64)
Rso = (0.75 + ) (36.71)
100000
Rso = 27.54 MJm day−1
−2

Relative Shortwave Radiation, Rs/Rso

= 15.75 MJm−2day−1 / 27.54 MJm−2day−1
= 0.57

Net Solar Radiation, Rns

Rns = 0. 77Rs
Rns = 0. 77(15.75)
Rns = 12.13 MJm−2day−1

Net Longwave Radiation, Rnl

(𝜎𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥,𝐾4 + 𝜎𝑇𝑚𝑖𝑛,𝐾4 ) 𝑅
Rnl = 2
(0.34 – 0.14 √𝑒𝑎 ) (1.35 𝑅 𝑠 – 0.35)
𝑠𝑜
Tmax = 36.23 °C
Tmin = 26.39 °C

By interpolation
36.21 = 36
36.23 = x
36.46 = 36.5
36.23− 36.21 𝑥− 36
36.46−36.21
= 36.5−36
X = 36.04

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
 By interpolation
26 = 39.27
26.39 = x
26.5 = 39.53
26.39− 26 𝑥− 39.27
=
26.5−26 39.53−39.27
X = 39.47

σTmax,K4 = 36.04 °C
σTmin,K4 = 39.47 °C

(36.04 + 39.47) 15.75

Rnl = (0.34 – 0.14 √2.62) (1.35 27.54 – 0.35)
2
Rnl = 1.81 MJm−2day−1

Net Radiation, Rn
Rn = Rns – Rnl
Rn = 12.13 MJm−2day−1 - 1.81 MJm−2day−1
Rn = 10.32 MJm−2day−1

Soil Heat Flux, G

G=0

Wind Speed, u2
4.87
u2 = uz (67.8 𝑧−5.42)
u2 = 1.34 ms-1
𝟗𝟎𝟎
𝟎.𝟒𝟎𝟖 𝚫(𝑹𝒏 −𝑮)+ 𝛄 𝒖 (𝒆 −𝒆𝒂 )
𝑻+𝟐𝟕𝟑 𝟐 𝒔
ETo = 𝚫+𝛄 (𝟏+𝟎.𝟑𝟒 𝒖𝟐 )
𝟗𝟎𝟎
(𝟎.𝟒𝟎𝟖) (𝟎.𝟎𝟐𝟒𝟏)(𝟏𝟎.𝟑𝟐−𝟎)+ 𝟎.𝟎𝟔𝟕 (𝟏.𝟑𝟐)(𝟐.𝟏𝟏)
𝟐𝟗.𝟖𝟏+𝟐𝟕𝟑
ETo =
𝟎.𝟎𝟐𝟒𝟏+𝟎.𝟎𝟔𝟕 (𝟏+𝟎.𝟑𝟒 (𝟏.𝟑𝟒))

ETo = 5.40 mm/day

Eta = Eto x kc
Crop factors
Tomatoes = 1.05
Chili = 0.65
Eggplant = 0.95

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
 Tomatoes
Eta = Eto x kc
Eta = 5.40 x 1.05
Eta = 5.67 mm/day

Eggplant
Eta = Eto x kc
Eta = 5.40 x 0.95
Eta = 5.13 mm/day

Chili
Eta = Eto x kc
Eta = 5.40 x 0.65
Eta = 3.51
CROP WATER REQUIREMENTS (for each plant)
Assumption: The soil type is sandy loam
Tomato
CWRtomato = Eta + (S&P)field
CWRtomato = 5.67 + 4
CWRtomato = 9.67 mm/day
Total CWRtomato = 1392 x 9.67 mm/day= 13460.64 mm/day

Eggplant
CWRegglant = Eta + (S&P)field
CWRegglant = 5.13 + 4
CWRegglant = 9.13 mm/day
Total CWReggplant = 1474 x 9.13 mm/day= 13466.75 mm/day

Chili
CWRchili = Eta + (S&P)field
CWRchili = 3.51 + 4
CWRchili = 7.51 mm/day
Total CWRchili = 3000 x 7.51 mm/day= 22530 mm/day

4.2. Total water to be delivered considering all conveyance losses

Note; per plant
Qpump = CWR x E
E = 1 + 0.6

Qpumpxtomato = 9.67 x 1.60

Qpumpxtomato = 15.47 mm/day

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
 Qpumpxeggplant = 9.13 x 1.60
Qpumpxeggplant = 14.61 mm/day

Qpumpxchili = 7.51 x 1.60

Qpumpxchili = 12.02 mm/day

IRRIGATION REQUIREMENTS (per plant)

Chili =

Eggplant =

Tomato =

∑IR = 41.37 mm/day

FOR DRIP IRRIGATION

Number of emitters per plant

0.6 𝑥 0.9𝑥 0.7

Nptomato= = 0.25 𝑜𝑟 1 𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟
1.5
0.45 𝑥 1.2𝑥 0.7
Npeggplant = = 0.25 𝑜𝑟 1 𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟
1.5
0.75𝑥 0.45𝑥 0.79
Npchili = = 0.17𝑜𝑟 1 𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟
1.5

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
 Emitter spacing

Irrigation Frequency and Duration. For the operation, options were given below

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
 TOTAL WATER TO BE DELIVERED CONSIDERING ALL CONVEYANCE LOSSES
Qpump = CWR x E
E = 1 + 0.6
Qpumpxtomato = 9.67 x 1.60
Qpumpxtomato = 15.47 mm/day
Qpumpxeggplant = 9.13 x 1.60
Qpumpxeggplant = 14.61 mm/day
Qpumpxchili = 7.51 x 1.60
Qpumpxchili = 12.02 mm/day

∑Qpump = 42.09 mm/day = 0.04209 m/day

SPIS PUMP DISCHARGE REQUIREMENT BASED ON AVERAGE SUN HOURS

(month of August)

Total Dynamic Head

0.22

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
COMPONENT SELECTION AND SIZING
Pump (Type and Size)

Solar PV Array

Actual requirement = 1 module

System should be powered by at least 1 module of 5 Wp PV module

Solar Charge Controller

PV module specification

Pm = 5 Wp

Vm = 16.7 Vdc

Im = 6.6 A

Voc = 20.7 A

Isc = 7.5 A

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
 Solar charge controller rating = (1module x 7.5 A) x 1.3 = 9.75 A

solar charge controller should be rated 9.75 A at 12 V or greater.

Inverter

Total Watt of all appliances = 9.6Watts

For safety, the inverter should be considered 25-30% bigger size.

The inverter should be greater or equal to 12.8W

Wire sizes and types

SPIS SETUP DRAWING

Typical Configurations of a SPIS from PNS/BAFS 324:2021

Surface Water Source with Reservoir

Surface Water Source without Reservoir

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
 Groundwater Source with Reservoir

Groundwater Source without Reservoir

V. CONCLUSION
Solar-powered water pumping systems can be used in municipal water supply, livestock
irrigation, and irrigation. A solar-powered irrigation system is a type of solar-powered water pumping
system that is used in paddy fields and gardens to water plants, vegetables, and other plants.
Furthermore, semi-automated scheduling equipment can ensure that irrigation scheduling is based on
crop water requirements and can optimize water use by irrigating different parts of a farm or scheme
sequentially. The solar generator can also be linked to battery storage and inverter technology to store
excess energy for use on the farm, such as household electrification or productive appliances. Despite
many promising developments in battery technologies, they are currently expensive to maintain and
must be replaced on a regular basis. Currently, a more cost-effective method of storing energy is to
pump water to an elevated tank or reservoir during daylight hours.
The most common SPIS configuration is a solar generator mounted on a fixed structure that
provides power to a submersible pump installed in a borehole. Most solar pumps on the market include
an integrated monitoring system for measuring water flow, pressure, and pump performance. They also
offer the possibility of improved groundwater management.

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score:
 Before being applied in the field, water is pumped either directly to the field or to a reservoir
elevated a few meters above the field and stored at constant pressure. When properly sized, solar pumps
can support drip, sprinkler, pivot, or flood irrigation methods. A system may also include filtration or
fertigation equipment, depending on the local conditions. It is important to note that if not properly
regulated, SPIS has the potential to promote over-exploitation of water resources. Once SPIS is
installed, there is no cost per unit of power, so farmers have no financial incentive to save
fuel/electricity for water pumping. Rather, there is frequently a financial component.
Incentives to increase or expand production in order to repay loans used to purchase the SPI
system. As a result, while SPIS may encourage increased production and food security, it may also
result in an increase in water consumption.
VI. REFERENCES
Pluschke, L., & Schnetzer, J. (n.d.). Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems: A clean-energy, low-emission
option for irrigation development and modernization. https://www.fao.org/3/bt437e/bt437e.pdf
Solar-powered Irrigation and On-Farm production | Land & Water | Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations | Land & Water | Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations. (n.d.). https://www.fao.org/land-
water/overview/covid19/solar/en/#:~:text=In%20the%20agricultural%20sector%2C%20solar,li
fting%20and%20distributing%20irrigation%20water

Lab. Ex. No. 5

Name: PACAG, SALAC, SALONGA, SERADOY, SUÑEGA Instructor: RGPeneyra
Course & Section: BSABE 4-1 Date:04/28/23 Score: