This paper presents the design of a photovoltaic (PV) water pumping system for the purpose of sustainable irrigation in crop production. The system was to draw water from a well with a dynamic level of 9.7 m and a total dynamic head (TDH) of 15.7 m at a flow rate of 2.4 m3/hour. A power pump of 258 W was obtained from the pump performance curve, which was required to efficiently extract water from the well and discharge it to an overhead tank. The study then employs the HOMER software to evaluate the feasibility, performance, and economic viability of a solar-powered water pumping system in comparison to a conventional diesel-driven system. The results obtained clearly show that the designed solar water pumping system solution was able to produce the energy required for irrigation. The economic viability of the system was demonstrated by its Net Present Value (NPV) of ₦1.8 million, Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of ₦184.17/kWh, Payback Period (PBP) of 0.7 years, and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 158.7%, which were determined by actual market prices and local inflation factors. Additionally, this study demonstrates that installing the solar system could stop the release of 102 kg of CO2 per year. This would also cut diesel fuel use by 38.9 L.
Moses (Thu,) studied this question.