Photovoltaic irrigation systems

Abstract

Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into electrical energy has been used worldwide for several decades. In the field of agriculture, there is a need for electricity in remote areas which are often far from the electrical network and where the construction of such network would not prove cost-effective. Using photovoltaic systems this problem could be overcome. Photovoltaic energy is widely applicable in agriculture, especially in irrigation systems. This paper presents photovoltaic systems which are applicable in the irrigation systems. The descriptions of the autonomous DC photovoltaic system, the photovoltaic system with storage of electrical energy and the photovoltaic systems connected to the electricity distribution network are presented. The experimental results obtained for the photovoltaic system connected to the electricity distribution network are also included. All these types of photovoltaic systems can provide the necessary power for the operation of plant irrigation system in all weather conditions, as confirmed by the conducted measurements.

Keywords

• renewable sources
• photovoltaic systems
• irrigation