IRRIGATION WATER PUMPING (IWP) SYSTEMS - COMPARISON BETWEEN PHOTOVOLTAICS AND CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES

his paper presents a detailed techno-economic and emissions analysis of conventional and solar-PV energy sources for supplying irrigation water pumping (IWP) systems. The key factors affecting the economics of solar-PV energy sources include the size, the sun tracking algorithm, and the energy production characteristics (especially the efficiency) of the solar-PV technologies. Therefore, this paper presents sizing and sun tracking optimization of solar-PV generator for IWP systems considering the impact of various solar-PV technologies for the flood and drip irrigation systems. The economics and emissions of solar-PV sources in comparison with conventional counterparts are also presented considering the true costs of energy production. Improved models for energy production, sizing, economics, and emissions quantification are presented. A proposed IWP project located at the New Kalbsha site near the Lake Nasser region in the south of Egypt is considered as a numerical example for the comparative analysis of solar-PV and conventional energy sources for IWP. The results show the high viability of solar-PV sources for IWP in comparison with the utility grid electricity and diesel engine energy alternatives.