Solar powered induction motor based water pumping system: A review of components, parameters and control methodologies

Due to insufficient electricity and soaring diesel costs, solar energy based water pumping system has emerged as a promising alternative to the conventional electricity and diesel based pumping systems used in rural, urban and remote regions to pump water for community water supplies and irrigation. Solar water pump works on electricity generated using photovoltaic (PV) technology. The PV technology converts solar energy into electrical energy to run a DC or AC motor based water pump. This paper presents a comprehensive review of solar energy based water pumping system and technology including its historical background and principle of its functioning, various physical components and classification, parameters, such as environmental conditions and photovoltaic materials that has an effect on the overall performance of the system. Emphasis has been made on induction motor based solar pumping systems and their control methodologies including their advantages as well as disadvantages and future scopes in solar water pumping systems.