Estimated performance of photovoltaic irrigation systems under different operating conditions

The photovoltaic pumping (PVP) is one of the more promising applications of renewable sources in the energy supply of agricultural process. However, the implementation of PVP systems is still scarce especially because the lack of standard criteria relating the involved variables such as meteorological parameters, PV panels characteristics and pump performance. In this work, the effects of meteorological parameters, pump selection and tilt angle variation on the PVP system performance are studied using the SICADT (solar irrigation computer aided design tool) simulation program developed by the authors. This study is accomplished utilizing a standard PVP system comprised of a PV array; an inverter and a submersible electric driven centrifugal pump. This system can be used for pumping the subterranean water in North Sinai region for drip irrigation network.