Design And Cost Analysis Of A 0 75 Kw Solar Powered Water Pumping System

Nwobi E.U. Ajide O.O. and Abu R.::Solar powered systems have been built for various applications ranging from public lighting to water supply units. Robust efforts have not been made in the systematic study of the effectiveness and viability of such systems as it applies to the Nigerian techno-economic situation. The objective of this study is to design a solar photovoltaic (PV) powered water supply system for rural areas in Nigeria using Onipe, a village in Ibadan without electric grid connection as a case study. The methodology adopted for this study involves field survey and detail system design and analysis. The design of the solar powered system was based on the estimated daily water supply rate of 15,000 litres with a view to obtaining a cost-effective and energy-efficient system to drive it. A review of pump technologies, alternative energy applications in some parts of the world and an assessment of the potentials of various alternative energy technologies in Nigeria and particularly in the study location was undertaken. The data gathered from the location which include the required water supply capacity and the likely depth of the borehole were applied in the design. This depth was estimated by a geo-physical survey using Vertical Electric Sounding (VES) techniques. Pipe sizing, pump sizing, power supply design and protective devices selection were all carried out during the design of the system. Finally, a cost-comparison analysis between the solar-powered system and generator powered system was done using Life-Cycle costing and analysis. Results obtained from the study showed that a 0.75 kW solar powered unit can supply the desired water quantity. Comparing the power supply costs of both systems over a 20-year life cycle showed that the generator powered system has a present value cost of over two times ( =200 % )that of the solar powered unit. In addition, the annual Carbon dioxide emission tonnage from the generator powered system is estimated to be about 3.2 tonnes whereas the solar powered system is emission free. The outcome of this study will find useful modularization applications in villages with similar characteristics and can also be easily adjusted to fit larger or smaller sized communities.

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