Crop irrigation is the key to agricultural success, but in Senegal, this task is usually done by hand, which usually takes several days. The cost of fuel engine for irrigation is too high, and independent solar equipment is also unaffordable for farmers.

To solve this problem, we have launched an innovative battery-free solar irrigation system in Niayes, Senegal, by introducing solar PV as a reliable and cost-effective alternative. The centralized 6.8kW solar array provides distributed 3-phase AC power to seven horticulture farmers that have their own shallow wells and 1-hp AC pumps. Our pre-paid intelligent system distributes energy to individual pumps as it becomes available throughout the day, enabling us to meet irrigation demand without the high capital and recurring costs of battery storage.

In the past, local farmers usually spent $1 a day on fuel for gasoline-powered irrigation pumps, which are over-sized and consume more gas than necessary. Our AC water pumps require less energy to meet the same crop irrigation needs, which reduce irrigation costs for local farmers, while achieving energy conservation, emission reduction and environmental protection.