Solar powered water pumps: problems, pitfalls and potential

For many years, solar (photovoltaic) powered water pumping has been portrayed as being able to revolutionise water provision in rural and developing communities. Mass produced pumps and cheaper PV panels have been promised, with the possibility of bringing safe water to those people who currently lack this basic human right. Although inroads have been made to reaching such an ideal situation, the current reality is somewhat different. This paper considers the challenges faced by electronic and electrical components in a solar powered water pumping system. It reviews how these problems have been addressed historically, investigates the ways in which the solutions have failed and explores novel ways of utilising modern electrical systems in order to allow full exploitation of this potentially life-transforming technology.