Energy [R]evolution: A Watershed Moment in India

Read the BriefSee all IdeasParticipants
Read the BriefSee all IdeasParticipants
Viewing published ideas, sorted by popularity.
PCUBE SOLAR WATER PUMP
PCUBE SOLAR WATER PUMP is to demonstrate PORTABLE,PLUG&PLAY,PEOPLE FRIENDLY solution to Bihar farmer

Solution

PCUBE SOLAR WATER PUMP can demonstrate  how we can enhance the pumping performance with the use of high efficiency  High concentrated Photovoltaic technology with Dual axis sun tracker technology over low efficiency poly or Mono crystalline silicon panel technology  currently being employed in India for  major water pumping applications . Hi efficiency solar panel technology like Concentrated photovoltaics (CPV )  with  Concentration ratio in excess of 1000X  coupled with Dual axis sun tracker technology can leverage optimum pumping performance vis-a-vis Diesel based pumps

Portability is   assured as even if we  use  2 panels ( 440W )  as  2 panels panels  can be detached from sun tracker  and  carried  on the cart and  assembled on  site  easily with the help of spanner on to  sun tracker  frame

220W HCPV  panel  only occupies a area of  1m X 0.86m  only  hence look very compact and  one panel can be stacked on to another panel while carrying with a layer pad in between

Actual  rating of  panel  will be  235W  for  India  since  panel  rating is to be provided @1000 W/m2 DNI  due to  strong sun in India.

Sytem configuration : (Model 1) (a) 220W  HCPV  Solar panel  of  Size  1m X 0.86m  and  weight  25Kg  (b) 1Sq.Mt. Frame Dual axis suntracker with built in tracker electronics and Pump MPPT controller electronics  as  one  simple PCB with astronomical algorithm  weighing 20 Kgs. (c) 210W , DC Submersible screw type pump approx  weight  7 Kg. (d) Small wooden trolley with cast iron wheels Weight 6 Kg. (e) Connection cables (f) Flexible hose (g) Pump Flange
(Model 2)(a) 220W X 2nos HCPV  Solar panel  each of  Size  1m X 0.86m  and  weight  25Kg X 2nos (b) 2 Sq.Mt. Frame Dual axis suntracker with built in tracker electronics and Pump MPPT controller electronics  as  one  simple PCB with astronomical algorithm  weighing 30 Kgs. (c) 400W , DC Submersible screw type pump approx  weight  11 Kg. (d) Small wooden trolley with cast iron wheels Weight 12 Kg. (e) Connection cables (f) Flexible hose (g) Pump Flange

Type of Irrigation :
Flood or Drip Irrigation

HIGH CONCENTRATED PHOTO VOLTAICS (HCPV) TECHNOLOGY

 One of the strategy for reducing module cost is to reduce the amount of semiconductor material needed (the cost of the silicon solar cells typically comprises more than one-half of the module cost). Many companies are thinning the silicon wafers to reduce costs incrementally; others use thin-film coatings on low-cost substrates (such as amorphous/microcrystalline silicon, cadmium telluride, or copper gallium indium diselenide on glass or other substrates).

 Concentrated Photo Voltaic (CPV) is one such effort in this direction and uses concentrating optics to focus the light onto tiny cells, the size of the cell can be as low as 4mm x 4mm. The optics may be designed for low or high concentration. Low-concentration optics (LCPV) use silicon cells & high-concentration optics (HCPV) adopt Triple Junction solar cells made of materials such as InGaP/InGaAs/Ge .    

 HCPV Technology is a sustainable technology for long term since energy required to create Triple junction solar cell material is 70 times lower than Crystalline silicon cell  and  we have to bear in mind that the purpose of climate change initiative is to reduce carbon foot print and to create such enabling technologies should not low efficient and should not consume too much energy to create raw materials to achieve this objective.                               

The efficiency of the best GaAs solar cells surpassed that of silicon solar cells, and in the 1990s GaAs solar cells took over from silicon as the cell type most commonly used for Photovoltaic arrays for satellite applications. Later, dual- and triple-junction solar cells based on GaAs with germanium and indium gallium phosphide layers were developed as the basis of a triple junction solar cell which held a record efficiency of over 32% and can operate also with light as concentrated as 2,000 suns. This kind of solar cell powers the rovers Spirit and Opportunity, which are exploring Mars surface.

Recently, Triple Junction solar cells have been reaching increasingly impressive efficiencies, inspiring new interest in the high-efficiency, high-concentration approach. The third Generation solar cell, Triple junction compound photovoltaics, enjoys its long-term development under NASA’s Space Programs. 

 Starting few years back, the Triple junction solar cells are being re-engineered for terrestrial uses on earth. Concentrating optics both primary Fresnel lens at a focal distance from the cell and Secondary optics positioned right on top of the cells are adopted to take the advantage of high efficiency. Till date 42.3% energy conversion of solar radiation has been realized with Triple junction solar cells and very recently the record efficiency is 44.7% has been achieved for four-junction solar cells in the laboratory.

 Theoritically more than 68% of solar energy can be converted to electrical energy by adding multiple Junctions on currently developed 3 or 4 junction Solar cells and having specific junction responding to particular wave length of solar radiation.

 Triple junction solar cell has intrinsic advantage of ability to convert solar energy in to electricity from all the three spectrums (Infrared, Visible & Ultraviolet) and can achieve higher energy output (CUF) in comparision to Mono/poly crystalline silicon or Amorphous Thin film technologies.

 Concentrator Photo Voltaic is one of important technology base for grid and off grid power generation and has been recognized and with relevant industry technical standards such as IEC62108 for CPV modules.                                                                                                                          

High concentration photo voltaics (HCPV)

High concentration photovoltaic’s (HCPV) systems employ concentrating optics consisting of fresnel lenses that concentrate sunlight to intensities of 300 suns or more. The solar cells require high-capacity heat sinks to prevent thermal destruction and to manage temperature related performance losses. Multijunction solar cells are currently favored over silicon as they are more efficient.

Multijunction solar cells, originally designed for non-concentrating space-based satellites, have been re-designed due to the high-current density encountered with CPV (typically 8 A/cm2 at 500 suns). Though the cost of multijunction solar cells is roughly 100 times that of comparable silicon cells, the cell cost remains a small fraction of the cost of the overall concentrating PV system, so the system economics might still favor the Multi junction cells in coming years.

Thermal management of High concentration photo voltaic cells

Thermal management of cell is very critical to enhance the lifetime of Multi junction solar cells  more than 20 years and  hence lot of research and  development has yielded  advanced  materials which can with stand 2000 suns concentration  with  passive  cooling  such  as  proper selection of  materials for module  design  and  heat sink for quick dissipation.

For large scale power generation the High Concentrated photovoltaic module design can be managed  with passive cooling even in High Direct Noraml Irradiance (DNI)  locations such as India, Africa & Middle East and hence do not require water  unlike solar thermal power generation.

 HCPV as an integrated technology with Dual axis sun tracker as a array.

 HCPV Technology mandates the use of Dual axis sun tracker and hence has an advantage over fixed solar technologies due to higher energy collection per day and enhanced power generation due to cell conversion efficiency of more than 40% and Module efficiency of 32% and above. The dual axis sun tracker is essential to keep the concentration on to the solar cell throughout the day from sunrise to sunset. The dual axis sun trackers has been designed to position the cells in synchronization with sun movement daily(Azimuth Angle) and also including seasonal variation of sun movement ( Pitch Angle ).

Advantages :
  1. 32% Solar Module efficiency coupled with Dual axis sun tracker can give best pumping performance in its class compared to Fixed  low efficiency  Mono / Poly or Thin Film solar panels.
  2. Triple junction solar cells used in HCPV  panel  can  convert  light to  electricity from all the three spectrum ( Ultravilolet , Visible , Infrared ) and  hence can achieve a cell  efficiency of  more than 39%  compared  to  Silicon cells  which can only convert Visible light in to electricity.
  3. Triple junction solar cell conversion efficiency is not influenced  by  increase  in atomspheric temperature where as  silicon solar cells efficiency drops with rise in temperature.
  4. Submersible pump is a Screw Pump design with 210W capacity and operated by brushless DC motor for optimum performance.
  5. Expected  performance of  2500 Litres per Hour pumping  performance @5m Water head  and  for typical  Solar radiation similar to Bihar
  6. Dual axis sun tracker enhance the solar energy collection per day and hence can provide 70% to 80%  more  output  compared  to  Fixed  solar systems
  7. Dual axis sun tracker with built in tracker controller and Pump Controller will provide all weather protection to Control electronics.
  8. The tracker electronics and Pump electronics is developed in India and hence cost of replacement is very marginal in case of failures  and  even less than US$10
  9. After Assembly only occupies an area of 1 Sq. Mt. (10 Sq. Ft. )  hence can be easily demonstrated  in any location and even at the point of sale.
  10. Over all  weight  of the system  50 Kg  and  mounted on a trolley  hence can be used at  multiple places  like Small pond , Open well , Tube well  &  Tank
  11. Highest level of Component indigenization ( 85% )  only  imported  component  is  Triple  junction solar cells
  12. Easily repairable by a ordinary electrician at village level  and  can  be easily  trained  to  handle  repair and maintenance.
  13. This is the only technology where Solar panel can be repairable if needed  by  replacing  with  new  Triple junction solar cells  over a  period  of life and hence can extend the  overall  life of the system  even beyond  25 years. Silicon panels are not repairable  since they are laminated hence  has to  discarded  after few years of use  if one of the cell contact breaks due to constant exposure to heat.
  14. The Submersible pump used  is a  DC  type  and  hence  can be operated  even by  36V  Tubular battery  in case of  emergency like  water logging or flooding  and   night  operation by  borrowing  batteries on rental.
  15. System Cost :  MODEL 1  ( 220W Solar & 210W Pump ) , 2500 Litres/ Hr or 2500 X 8 Hrs = 20000 litres/Day Performance @5m water head  and 16000 Litres/Day performance @10m water head
  16. Over all  cost of the system :  INR 95000 ( Less than US$1500  for  volumes  less than 100 per  month )  &  INR 60000 ( Less than US$1000 for  volumes 1000 nos  per  month )
  17. MODEL 2  ( 440W Solar & 400W Pump )  4000 Litres / Hr or 4000 X 8hrs = 32000 Litres/Day performance @5m water head 25000 litres/day performance @10m water head
  18. Over all  cost of the system :  INR 115000 ( Less than US$1900  for  volumes  less than 100 per  month )  &  INR 90000 ( Less than US$1500 for  volumes 1000 nos  per  month )

Prototype: Basic prototype developed and tested and further support from Greenpeace  we can prepare ourselves  for  commercial launch

Comments

Show older comments (54)
amitm
amitm
almost 7 years ago

Unfortunately It is not a one time investment. Motors, electronics, PV panels and above all batteries all these adds to the recurring cost. Not to mention its operation in remote areas which do not have any access to electronics components for their replacement. Cost of the entire thing cannot be bare by a average farmer........

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
almost 7 years ago

Batteries is optional this facility we have provided only for emergency night operation during water logging or flooding . In India village people can borrow battery for emergency operation from a Vehicle repair garage

SSchrecker
SSchrecker
almost 7 years ago

Hello girishrampura, thank you for your second submission - a more high tech solution with high performance PV panels and a tracking system! Did you already think of an irrigation method that leads the water to the plant?

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
SSchrecker
almost 7 years ago

My design approach is keeping in mind commonly used water sources by Indian village farmers such a pumping water from a small pond with approx 5m water head and also may be open wells or tube well from where the water is lifted and fed to a small tank and from there through a small channel which carry water to an area of approx 1hectare

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
SSchrecker
almost 7 years ago

Hi stefan

In India most of farmers use Gravity feed through channel or Drip irrigation and hence in my selection of Screw pump i am considering the horizontal head losses and hence choosen the screw pump with 40m (Max ) Head which can deliver 900 litres per hour at maximum head for a solar radiation of 4 to 5 kwh/m2/day

AYadav
AYadav
almost 7 years ago

Great idea Girish , Let talk more about specifics. It would be good if you could post detail calculations and costing. Starting with solar radiation onwards, i.e sun to pump efficiency. what is the total head you have considered?

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
AYadav
almost 7 years ago

In Bihar we can expect a solar radiation levels of 5.2kwh/m2 /day to 5.4kwh/m2/day our HCPV module has a physical area of 1m X 0.86m and an optical area of 1m X 0.86m X 0.8 = 0.64 Sq.Mt. so we can generate @ module efficiency of 32% daily dc energy of 5.2 X 0.64 X 0.32 = 1kwh

We will connect a 210W DC submersible pump to run this pump for 6hrs @80% pump efficiency we need 210W X 6 X 0.8 = 1Kwh

so for 8 to 10 hours good sunshine we can run this pump 6 hrs in a day and we can deliver 2500 litres per hour X 6 hrs = 15000 litres per day which i hope a marginal farmer with 1hectare agricultural land can irrigate with clean energy

AYadav
AYadav
AYadav
almost 7 years ago

Hi , It is important for farmer that he knows how much support is available in months of winter and clouds, so I guess a monthly estimate would be really helpful here. Do let me know in case you need solar data. Also I note that HCPV is comparatively recent technology, few details of manufacturer would improve understanding. Details of pump performance chart and 2 axis tracker power consumption would support assessment of efficiency.

SSchrecker
SSchrecker
AYadav
almost 7 years ago

Hello girishrampura, Please have a look at the news entry from http://greenpeacechallenge.jovoto.com/blog/posts/wells-in-bihar-guest-post-by-anudeep-yadav from Anudeep Yadav where the effects of drawback and the lower water table during pre monsoon and post monsoon are described. How well would your system perform when you calculate with a static head of more than 5 meters? It would be interested to see a performance curve of the pump that you have in mind. Thank you and all the best, Stefan

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
AYadav
almost 7 years ago

Hi Schrecker

The 210W Screw pump(Submersible) with DC brushless motor i have considered is having following characterstics @40m (Max) head it can deliver 900 litres per hour and @5m (Min ) head it can deliver 2500 litres per hour . I have made a study in India the reason the farmers are forced to use big delivery pipes even upto 6" dia is due to reason that govt. policy of giving free power to farmers actually they do not get 20 hrs power in a day they use big delivery pipes to pump as much as they can in limited 1 to 2 hrs of free power . But solar pumps in a day for a good sunshine of 8 to 10 hrs can deliver same quantum of water to surge tank from where they can plan a gravity feed or drip irrigation

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
AYadav
almost 7 years ago

Hi stefan I studied the anudeep yadav and as per his report he advise designers to consider 8m water head due to various factors which you have mentioned like lower water table etc . The screw pump i have considered in design is 5m to 40m head and hence the factor of safety i feel ok

SSchrecker
SSchrecker
AYadav
almost 7 years ago

Hey girishrampura , thank you for responding so quickly and in detail. What daily pumped volume do you expect when considering a head of 8m? It would be interesting to see your estimates on this for different seasons with different insolation. Thank you, Stefan

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
AYadav
almost 7 years ago

Hi stephan We can expect a dialy pumped volume of 12000 to 13000 litres @8m static head and Max Solar insolation of 5kwh/m2/day in summer and 9000 to 10000 litres per day for Min solar insolation of 4kwh/m2/day in winter.

I have uploaded the 210W Pump characterstics curve for your reference

AYadav
AYadav
almost 7 years ago

Hi , This page talks more about Bihar's agricultural needs. http://greenpeacechallenge.jovoto.com/blog/posts/the-state-of-bihar-lots-of-sun-little-wind-and-lots-of-agri-waste

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
AYadav
almost 7 years ago

Thanks for the info this is good location for small solar water pumps as the water head is 5m and radiation levels of 4 to 5 kwh/m2/day is good enough to pump 10000 to 15000litres per day for 1 hectare irrigation.

claudianicoara
claudianicoara
almost 7 years ago

could be a solution

Kwazai
Kwazai
almost 7 years ago

I like this. Recent tech blurbs have shown water cooled back sides for the panels to keep them efficient (20%+/-). The solar collector area could be increased if the PV were kept cool.

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
Kwazai
almost 7 years ago

Hi Kwazai We have achieved a 220W for collector area of 1m X 1m @ Concentration ratio of 1200X by way a passive cooling with the help of proper heat sink design on the back side of panel and definitely with water cooling we can achieve a concentration ratio of 2000X and we can even produce 380w per 1m X 1m collector area

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
Kwazai
almost 7 years ago

But water cooling has its own advantages and also has disadvantage like sludge formation , salt and mineral deposit inside the tubes and host of same issues what Solar water heating industry is facing in India hence we currently like to work with 1200X concentration ratio with a good passive cooling from proper heat sink design

AYadav
AYadav
almost 7 years ago

Hi Girish , What is the subsystem( pv panel output to motor output) efficiency you are expecting?

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
almost 7 years ago

Hi AYadav The calculations will be like this in India the DNI is 1000w/m2 and HCPV panel with a Collector area of 1m X 0.86m will generate a power of 220W and we drive a submersible pump with a motor 210W the efficiency we are expecting is 210W/220W = 0.95 or screw pump efficiency of 95% if the distance b/w PV panel and pump Motor with in 20m if more than 20m for every 5m increase in distance we loose 1% additional due to DC losses.

WDankoff
WDankoffjury_contest
almost 7 years ago

This type of concentrated PV requires precise tracking and it focuses poorly when the sky is hazy. Does this really cost less than a simple flat-plate mass-produced PV module of same power output?

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
WDankoffjury_contest
almost 7 years ago

yes CPV require a precision tracking and focuses poorly when the sky is hazy but also convert maximum sun energy to electrical energy ( 32% Module efficiency) for 1000W/m2 DNI which is available almost 300 days in a year in Bihar province . Also one interesting thing to note Bihar province lies just above Tropic of cancer (231/2 Degree lattitude ) and if you check from NASA satellite data most of the Bihar province has a very strong DNI (Direct Normal Irridiance) and CPV technology is very good for locations with strong DNI . CPV module for same power output cost 50% higher but if we compare cost per unit of energy (KWH) CPV is nearly same as silicon due to higher CUF (Capacity utilisation factor ) The precision of the sun tracker mainly depends on the algorithm and we have developed a astronomical algorithm which helps a lot to use very low cost component such a small slew drive and a linear actuators with hall sensors

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
almost 7 years ago

yes CPV require a precision tracking and focuses poorly when the sky is hazy but also convert maximum sun energy to electrical energy ( 32% Module efficiency) for 1000W/m2 DNI which is available almost 300 days in a year in Bihar province . Also one interesting thing to note Bihar province lies just above Tropic of cancer (231/2 Degree lattitude ) and if you check from NASA satellite data most of the Bihar province has a very strong DNI (Direct Normal Irridiance) and CPV technology is very good for locations with strong DNI . CPV module for same power output cost 50% higher but if we compare cost per unit of energy (KWH) CPV is nearly same as silicon due to higher CUF (Capacity utilisation factor )

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
almost 7 years ago

The precision of the sun tracker mainly depends on the algorithm and we have developed a astronomical algorithm which helps a lot to use very low cost component such a small slew drive and a linear actuators with hall sensors

seby2000
seby2000
girishrampuraowner
almost 7 years ago

That's the way to respond to a question, with precise arguments.

steeve
steeve
almost 7 years ago

I like it

CameronP
CameronP
almost 7 years ago

This is very well argumented, congrats girishrampura

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
almost 7 years ago

Hi Cameron Thanks for your kind support

SZAB
SZAB
almost 7 years ago

good idea

zaarchitects
zaarchitects
almost 7 years ago

good project here

ghotgenitya
ghotgenitya
almost 7 years ago

costing ?

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
ghotgenitya
almost 7 years ago

If produced in mass quantity we can even achieve a cost of less than 1000US$

vlado
Vladimir Atanasov
over 6 years ago

Idea with big potential.

SSchrecker
SSchrecker
over 6 years ago

Hello girishrampura, In the course of the early bird award we received some feedback from our jurors that we would like to share with you. Your submission was complimented to be very innovative and ingenious! It is quite compact and therefore mobile. The main concern was that it might be to fragile an complex for rural applications and that over sizing the panels without dual axis tracking could result in a more robust system with less moving parts. Also, the flow of 2500 l/h is relatively low and possibly not sufficient? All the best, Stefan

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
SSchrecker
over 6 years ago

Dear Stefan Thanks for the feedback i can maintain portability still with 2 nos of 220W HCPV solar panels , 2 Sq.Mt. Dual axis sun tracker , Trolley ( Total weight 25kg X 2 + 30 Kg + 12 Kg = 92 Kg and can deliver 4000 litres per hour or 32000 litres per day (8 hrs operation due to sun tracking ) with the help of 400W Submersible pump . I definitely respect the views of the jurors and fragility is a subjective issue as Bihar farmers have all latest electronic gadgets such as LED HD TV , Consumer durables such as Fridge , washing machine and many more electronic stuff is getting inside their homes . Performance i agree in order to maintain mobility i am constrained to work with less than 100kg for easy mobility and since HCPV technology mandates the use of Dual axis sun tracking i can only work with design 440W Solar capacity panel and a performance of 32000 Litres per day at this stage . 660W system also i can review with a over all weight of the system 130Kgs and with 550W Submersible pump i can achieve 70000 litres per day performance . Is there any criteria for mobility about the over all weight of the system we can look in to final optimum design and can work toward bringing down the over all weight of system by another 25%

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
SSchrecker
over 6 years ago

Dear Stefan I also want to try idea mooted by visitor Robhoski that why we cannot enhance pumping efficiency with samll caililliary suction tubes in place of large single suction pipes. I am confident with this idea i can retest my 440W system and see if i can achieve better pumping efficiency and delivery performance

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
SSchrecker
over 6 years ago

Dear Stefan I have a suggestion to address mobility keeping a pumping systems which are even heavier than 100kgs by having a prefab foundation with the help of ground screws you can see website www.krinnerthegroundscrew.com . If the farmer has to shift the pump from one location to another location he can shift the pre-fab foundation itself The sun tracker shaft will be fitted directly on to ground screw . My experience with Indian farmers is that every night they do not have to shift a pump from agricultural field to home . The percentage of people who have to shift solar pump every night is far and few . The mobility i have understood from Indian farmers requirement is that water flow pattern keeps on changing and once in few years the farmers are shifing the bore hole location with their own field . Bihar shifting is not a big issue as from Anudeep report water table in Bihar is with in 10m . We have real challenge in other parts of India where the water table is 300m

SSchrecker
SSchrecker
SSchrecker
over 6 years ago

Hello girishrampura, Yes I see your point on high tech in households and the perception of fragility. But I also believe that there is a difference of this perception when it comes to vital things like growing food or access to drinking water. I think upsizing your system would be reasonable. Your suggestion of 2 nos of 220W Panels would still be on one tracking device, right? Would you still stay in the budget? I fully share your concern on weight limitations and I think it is good that you try to limit it as much as possible. There is no real limit on over all weight of the system as long as it is reasonably portable. Yes, I guess not every farmer moves his pump every day but it should be possible to do so. Did you have a look at the comments on this blog post?

http://greenpeacechallenge.jovoto.com/blog/posts/the-benefits-of-portability-why-a-mobile-pump-is-a-better-pump

Personally I like the idea of the ground screws you suggested. I see a little restraint since you need special equipment in order to put in place or change its location.

All the best, Stefan

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
SSchrecker
over 6 years ago

Hi Stefan Yes 2 nos of 220W panels on will be mounted on one tracking device only frame area will increase from 1 sq.mt to 2 Sq.mt. In my recent updates i have proposed 220W system as well as 440W system and system cost for 440W system can be maintained less than US$1500 . Also my other idea " PCUBE SOLAR PUMPBRELLA " i have updated my design where on a 22 Sq.Mt light weight umbrella i can generate 840W Solar power with the help of light weight flexible solar cells and can use 740W (1Hp) Submersible pump . The over all system is less than 100 kg and even if farmer want to shift the system everyday is possible as they can unfold the umbrella and bring it back and set them again when required for pumping

SSchrecker
SSchrecker
SSchrecker
over 6 years ago

Thank you for specifying!

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
SSchrecker
over 6 years ago

Hi Stefan To drive ground screws in Thailand a team has developed a simple hand held tool with with even1m screw can be nailed to ground

Robhoski
Robhoski
over 6 years ago

I don't think I'll have time to participate in this event, but I did want to suggest looking more closely at the pump itself. The key to making this project work I do not think is in the solar panels as much as it is in finding a new and more efficient way to pump water. Allow me to make a suggestion via a question: "How do trees pump water to great heights?" I think the answer to creating the most efficient pump lies in nature. What I have seen is that a large diameter pipe makes lifting the water very difficult. Trees do not use one large pipe to transport water upward. So maybe many small tubes would be more efficient if you did not try to draw from them all at the same time. Picture a spinning disc with only one hole that passes over several small tubes exposing the opening of each tube individually. This would mean less suction would be required to lift water up each tube since each tube is lifting less weight. Subsequently, a less powerful pump could perform the same lifting capability using numerous smaller tubes rather than one big tube. Hope the idea helps inspire you. Best of luck!

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
Robhoski
over 6 years ago

Dear Robhoski You idea is great and worth experimenting as you put it in right words how does tall trees draw water up to branches through a capiliary action and i will definitely try and prove that with a 440W HCPV system taking your idea small capillary tubes in place of single large dia tubes i will try to see if i can achieve 70000 Litres per day performance inplace of 32000 litres as per my old design

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
Robhoski
over 6 years ago

Dear Robhoski

Thanks for giving a new perspective i was only obsessed with 32% solar panel efficiency in my design and hope if i add your idea of small capiliary tubes one single inlet mainfold where all these capiliary suction tubes are terminated and will try my best why not to achieve 70000 Litres per day performance with just 440W HCPV Solar system . I agree with you the objective is to achieve highest pumping efficiency with lowest solar panel capacity

SSchrecker
SSchrecker
Robhoski
over 6 years ago

Hello Robhoski, Thank you for sharing your interesting input. I would assume that using several small tubes would simply result in higher friction losses and higher material costs, no? Compared to plants, the flow of an irrigation system for a whole field is high and the dynamic head also plays a role. As far as I know the transport mechanism in trees uses the effect of suction (at the roots) through evaporation of water on at a higher level (the leafs). And the reason for many, small tubes is that water is collected from a wide area in the soil and brought to many different places where the leafs are. But I could be totally wrong - I am not a biologist :) Stefan

Avinash101
Avinash101
over 6 years ago

overall 50 kg for 220w system and 80 kg for 440w system looks to be fairly portable do u still have a scope to reduce the overall weight of the system?

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
over 6 years ago

Dear Avinash Currently our Triple junction solar cell efficiency is 41% and Module efficiency is 32% this technology has a scope to reduce weight as 4 Junction solar cells will start to arrive in 2014 to market then cell efficiency will go up to 45% and module efficiency will also increase to 36% . We have scope to achieve another 15% weight reduction on account of this .

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
girishrampuraowner
over 6 years ago

or the other way around i can design 660W system and still make them portable and over all weight will be less than 90 Kgs and can provide a very good pumping volume per day

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
girishrampuraowner
over 6 years ago

Hi i have uploaded the assembled HCPV array photos of 1 panel & 1 Sq.Mt.Sun tracker & 2 panel & 2 Sq.Mt.Frame sun tracker . The design is very simple vertical pillar of sun tracker & frame detachable , also the botttom foundation detachable hence very easy to disseble & assemble at site .

suresh15k
suresh15k
over 6 years ago

Nice Concept. The technology has a very good potential in high DNI places. Overall good project

Systellar
Systellar
over 6 years ago

Will the dual tracking system (being a mechanical system) not introduce additional chances of system failure. I saw many solar water pumping systems installed in Rajasthan (India) which were not working because the tracking system became faulty due to dust accumulating on moving parts. Also, a tracking system requires regular maintenance as it has to be regularly oiled and cleaned. This is just my observation with tracking systems in Indian weather conditions.

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
Systellar
over 6 years ago

hi i think they have used a motor & actuator it seems if we use a Slew drive & Linear actuator it is maintenance free no need for oiling and they are all whether proof design .

sathishkumar
sathishkumar
over 6 years ago

Good luck :)

Karanjai
Karanjai
over 6 years ago

This is one of the best proposals here, and it takes under consideration all the reouirements. Good luck.

senthil2k
senthil2k
over 6 years ago

very simple idea

dahu
dahu
over 6 years ago

great idea

anilenviron
anilenviron
over 6 years ago

gud gud gud

prpk
prpk
over 6 years ago

A really good project

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
over 6 years ago

Thanks GREENPEACE & JOVOTO community for giving us a opportunity to participate & present our ideas , I personally cherished a lot interacting with various other thinkers and w one & all very best

Naresh
Naresh
over 6 years ago

Easily adaptable concept. Good luck

bhojane
bhojane
over 6 years ago

What is the maximum depth from which this 0.5 hp pump can suck water from? Will it work right through the summers?

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
bhojane
over 6 years ago

the pump has a charactstics of handling maximum 40m depth

MoumitaDas
MoumitaDas
over 6 years ago

Simple idea.. Is water storage tank needed or not for this system?

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
MoumitaDas
over 6 years ago

if it is flood irrigation may be necessary but for drip irrigation not necessary

kumarsp
kumarsp
over 6 years ago

very simple and innovative idea

shubham271
shubham271
over 6 years ago

sir i was going through your project , i want to ask , we are using high efficiency solar cells over hear then the cost of the cells would be high, as these high efficiency solar panels are not made in India. what would be the total cost of the panels installed??

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
over 6 years ago

Dear Shubam the cost of the solar panels we have achieved by CKD assembly 85 Rs/Watt and with next stages of Indegenisation and volumes we will achieve even 60 Rs/Watt

cutetusharagrawal
cutetusharagrawal
girishrampuraowner
over 6 years ago

in India the conventional solar panels cost around 80rs/watt how come triple junction solar cells can cost 85rs/watt..!!!

but any how nice concept

WaterBuck
WaterBuck
over 6 years ago

Good concept!

mtahaa
mtahaa
over 6 years ago

nice project

nare
nare
over 6 years ago

Promising technology. all the best

Shibi
Shibi
over 6 years ago

nice

farzinirani
farzinirani
over 6 years ago

Sounds feasible

Jensen
Jensen
over 6 years ago

Hello Girish: I see a good potential to match your panels with my pump to achieve higher flows at the low pumping lifts described in Bihar.
Good luck with your development. I look forward to following it closely. Best regards, Eric Jensen

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
Jensen
over 6 years ago

Hi Jensen Yes i also eagerly look forward to your 500W Submersible pump and we are ready with 220W HCPV panel & 2 Sq.Mt. Dual axis sun tracker . I particularly like your 500W pump design since you have eliminated the electronics . Apart from Farmers i have a particular market segment in Mind for Indian market and we will discuss and take it forward.

Jensen
Jensen
Jensen
over 6 years ago

Thanks for your interest Girish. I will be pleased to work with you. As shown in our submission, the pump-end recommended by Kirloskar Bros. only requires 230w, so with our +80% efficient motor we only require ~ 300w input from the solar array. With your tracking system this could be a very nice system.

Groeni
Groeni
over 6 years ago

Really great idea in my mind.

vikrantagrawal315
vikrantagrawal315
over 6 years ago

good design

kumarravi090792
kumarravi090792
over 6 years ago

How is it portable

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
kumarravi090792
over 6 years ago

Hi Kumar Ravi the Model 1 weighs 50Kg & Model2 weighs 80Kg and is mounted on a small wooden trolley with wheels which can be toyed by single person

sumt
sumt
over 6 years ago

its portable??

mani173
mani173
over 6 years ago

good design all the best.

girishrampura
girishrampuraowner
mani173
over 6 years ago

thanks

gandan123
gandan123
over 6 years ago

nice design. All the best

Wasaki
Jaime Moroldo Lira
over 6 years ago

Great idea! good luck for You!

abhishek_anand
abhishek_anand
over 6 years ago

nice idea, liked the concerted solar cells

ankit00
ankit00
over 6 years ago

liked the concept of HCPV solar panels

vadehra
vadehra
over 6 years ago

good idea.

hemant8
hemant8
over 6 years ago

nice idea. all the best.

sanjayraul1
sanjayraul1
over 6 years ago

good idea.

anwar
anwar
over 6 years ago

good and strong concept

tulika
tulika
over 6 years ago

very nice approach , the efficiency will go way high in HCPV solar panles

syed_danish
syed_danish
over 6 years ago

good concept

bijju
bijju
over 6 years ago

nice design really good concept

velsakthi
velsakthi
over 6 years ago

great idea

pradeepstkumar
pradeepstkumar
over 6 years ago

good idea...

2ksathish
2ksathish
over 6 years ago

non questing idea. simple and measured

xamyc
xamyc
over 1 year ago

For the operating and supplying of the energy to the all power plants of the water pumps we have to make the solar energy system to add on the upper side of the pump near the fields for water. When the sun will be in the peak then all the power will charge it on the https://www.australianessays.org/ website we should be read the specifications and user manual for this solar power system.