Choosing the correct solar water pump involves much more than selecting one based on borehole depth or the size of the solar panels. The most important factor is calculating the Total Dynamic Head (TDH), which is the total resistance the pump must overcome to move water from its source to its destination. This includes the vertical lift from the water level, the height above ground where the water is delivered and friction losses caused by the pipework.

We'll also need to understand how much water you require each day, how quickly it needs to be delivered, the available solar resource and the intended application. A livestock watering system has very different requirements to an irrigation scheme or a private water supply.

Before recommending a system, we'll normally ask for:

• Borehole or well depth
• Static water level
• Pumping water level (if known)
• Daily water requirement or required flow rate
• Delivery height
• Pipe length and diameter
• Intended application
• Installation location

If you don't know all of these details, don't worry. We can advise what information is needed before selecting a suitable solar pumping system.

Providing as much information as possible allows us to recommend the most suitable solar pumping system and avoid specifying equipment that is either oversized or unable to meet your requirements.

Useful information includes:

• Where the water is coming from (borehole, well, river, reservoir or storage tank)
• Borehole depth and diameter
• Static water level
• Delivery point and height
• Pipe length and pipe size
• Required litres per day or litres per minute
• Whether the system will be used all year or seasonally
• The application, such as livestock watering, irrigation, domestic water supply or water transfer

If you don't have all of this information, we can usually help you determine what's required before making a recommendation.

There isn't a single "best" solar borehole pump because every installation is different.

The correct pump depends on the borehole diameter, the total pumping head, the amount of water required and the available solar power. A pump that works perfectly in one borehole may be completely unsuitable for another.

For deep boreholes and reliable off-grid water supplies, submersible solar pumps are generally the preferred solution because they operate below the water level and are designed to lift water efficiently over significant distances.

Rather than choosing a pump based purely on depth, we calculate the duty point of the system to ensure it delivers the required flow efficiently throughout the year.

Yes. Solar pumping systems are widely used to provide reliable drinking water for livestock where mains electricity isn't available or where extending the electrical supply would be expensive.

Water is commonly pumped from a borehole, well or storage reservoir into a holding tank before gravity feeding drinking troughs. This approach often removes the need for batteries, as the stored water acts as the energy reserve.

When designing livestock watering systems, we consider:

• Number of animals
• Daily water demand
• Peak summer demand
• Distance to the troughs
• Vertical lift
• Available sunlight
• Seasonal variations

Correct system sizing is particularly important because livestock water consumption increases significantly during warmer weather.

Yes. Solar pumping systems are suitable for many irrigation applications, including horticulture, market gardens, sports pitches, vineyards and agricultural irrigation.

The correct solution depends on:

• Daily water requirement
• Irrigation method
• Pumping head
• Distance between the water source and the irrigated area
• Operating hours
• Seasonal demand

In many installations, water is pumped into a storage tank throughout the day before being distributed when required. This often provides a simpler and more economical solution than using batteries.

Not necessarily.

Most solar pumping systems operate whenever sufficient sunlight is available, pumping water directly into a storage tank. Instead of storing electrical energy in batteries, the system stores water, which is often simpler, more reliable and significantly reduces maintenance costs.

Batteries are generally only considered where water must be supplied continuously regardless of sunlight or where the overall system design makes battery storage necessary.

For many agricultural and rural water supply applications, a correctly sized storage tank is the preferred solution.

Total Dynamic Head (TDH) is one of the most important factors when selecting a solar water pump.

TDH isn't simply the depth of the borehole. It combines:

• The vertical distance from the pumping water level to the outlet
• Any additional delivery height above ground
• Friction losses within the pipework
• Any pressure required at the outlet
  Selecting a pump without calculating

TDH can result in poor performance, insufficient water delivery or unnecessary energy consumption.

This is why we calculate the complete system rather than recommending a pump based on depth alone.

Many solar pumping systems require more than just a pump and solar panels.

Depending on the application, additional equipment may include:

• Pump controllers
• Water level sensors
• Float switches
• Pressure switches
• Monitoring equipment
• Backup power options

The correct accessories improve reliability, protect the pump and allow the system to operate automatically with minimal maintenance.

We'll recommend any additional components required as part of the overall system design.

Absolutely.

Choosing the correct solar pumping system isn't simply about selecting a pump from a catalogue. Every installation has different hydraulic requirements, operating conditions and performance expectations.

As specialist solar pumping suppliers, we help customers select systems for livestock watering, irrigation, private water supplies, commercial projects and remote water transfer applications.

Rather than simply recommending products, we'll assess your application and advise on the most appropriate pump, controller, solar array and accessories to achieve reliable, efficient performance.

If you're unsure where to start, contact us with the details you have, and we'll guide you through the information needed to specify the right system.

• Choosing by horsepower instead of duty point.
• Ignoring pipe friction losses.
• Assuming borehole depth equals pumping head.
• Underestimating daily water demand.
  Not allowing for seasonal changes.

Again, these are insights based on experience, not manufacturer specifications.