Water Pumping
The idea of moving water from a source to a higher storage space for easy access has been around for 200 years.
Ramp Pumping Systems or hydraulic ram pumps work by using the momentum of descending water to create pressure that pumps that water high above its source.
The pump is placed below a water source and connected to a pipe. Gravity sends the water down the pipe to a chamber in the pump where the mechanics of the pump work to build up pressure, resulting in the water being able to travel up to elevated storage tanks.
The delivery pipe can rise some distance above both the pump and the source of the water. For example, if the pump is 10 feet below the pond, the delivery pipe may be up to 100 feet above the pump.
In another version, water flows downhill from the pond and drives a water wheel which is connected to a conventional shaft-drive pump that moves water uphill. This design has more moving parts, but it accomplishes the same thing and has the advantage that it scales to any size very easily.
A raised water source and storage is convenient not only for home use in remote areas but also for irrigation, agriculture and farming.
The force of moving water alone gives PLUTO 4 Ramp Pumping Systems the power they need to run 24 hours a day.
As they do not need external power, our Ramp Pumping Systems have been used by NGOs such as The Food Network, an organisation that seeks to transform food systems and get rid of unethical farming practices to support a healthier, more sustainable planet.
Free-Flowing Drinkable Mineral Water With Solar Water Pumping Systems
Fortunately, solar pumping systems allow vital water resources to be accessed in remote rural locations.
For drinking water you will need a bore hole over 100 feet deep. 100ft of Earth is enough to filter out any impurities and any bacteria and generally will give you drinkable mineral water without any need for filtering.
Solar DC pumps are simply more efficient than AC pumps and have the advantage that they are powered directly by solar panels. DC pumps also work at lower voltages and can pump water even at very slow speeds, when it is cloudy, early morning or late evening while AC pumps will only run at full speed or stop completely if it rains or is cloudy. Giving less than 50% of the water collection.
A drive unit, called a MPPT, (maximum power point tracker), keeps the pump running from very low sunlight levels right up to hot midday sunshine, giving much more water than any AC pump could manage. Each of our pumps come with an MPPT that is matched exactly with the pump and solar power system.
Most solar water pumping applications don't use batteries, the water is simply pumped when there is enough daylight. The water is often pumped into a large raised storage tank, enabling access to the water whenever needed by gravity.
There is also a natural relationship between the availability of solar power and the need for water. With minimal maintenance and no need for fuel, solar pumps provide maximum water flow when it's needed most.
Solar powered submersible pumps are used for wells, boreholes, water transfer, cattle & livestock watering and irrigation.
Designing The Right Solar Pump For Your Water Supply
At PLUTO 4, we supply complete independent, Off-Grid solar powered pumping systems and a wide range of high efficiency DC powered pumps and controllers, all specifically designed to run from solar PV panels, to meet your exact requirements.
Our ultra-efficient pumps result in a lower power draw and allow pumping from a smaller solar array.
If you would like us to size and cost a pumping system for your application, please complete our solar pump enquiry form, which will provide us with the information we would need to advise you.