Work out solar pump sizing for farm instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Hydraulic energy to lift water is volume x head x 9.81 / 3600 kilowatt-hours. Dividing by wire-to-water efficiency, typically 35-50% for a solar submersible, gives the electrical energy required, and dividing that by peak sun hours gives the array size in kilowatts peak.
Hydraulic energy
kWh = volume (m3) x head (m) x 9.81 / 3600
Array size
Array (kWp) = hydraulic kWh / system efficiency / peak sun hours
Static lift from water level to discharge, plus friction losses in pipe and fittings, plus any pressure needed at the outlet. Use the drawdown water level during pumping, not the static level.
Usually not. Solar pumps are best paired with a storage tank sized for a day or two of demand, which is far cheaper than batteries and gives the same security of supply.