Groundwater Governance and Adoption of Solar-Powered Irrigation Pumps

Groundwater Governance and Adoption of Solar-Powered Irrigation Pumps
Author: Ram Bastakoti
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2020
Genre:
ISBN:
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Solar-powered irrigation pumps (SPIPs) have been promoted in the Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) in recent decades, but rates of adoption are low. This case study assesses the evidence from several solar pump business models being adopted in parts of the EGP, particularly eastern Nepal and northern India, and explores how different models perform in various contexts. It documents lessons for increasing farmers' resilience to droughts through better groundwater use by promotion of SPIPs. Groundwater access for agriculture in the past was dependent on diesel and electric pumps, respectively constrained by costs and reliability of energy. Both government and nongovernment agencies have promoted SPIPs in the Ganges basin for irrigation and drinking purposes. SPIPs receive different levels of subsidies across countries and states in the region to facilitate adoption and ensure continuous and timely irrigation, which particularly benefits small and marginal farmers. Because the EGP faces variability in water availability, the SPIPs could help in building drought resilience. However, because low operating costs for SPIPs does little to incentivize farmers to use water efficiently, one critical question is how to balance equitable access to SPIPs while ensuring groundwater overdraft is not perpetuated. Farmers' awareness of efficient water management options is crucial to avoid overextraction of groundwater.

Solar Pumping for Water Supply

Solar Pumping for Water Supply
Author: ALBERTO. W. KIPRONO IBANEZ LLARIO (ASENATH.)
Publisher:
Total Pages: 268
Release: 2020-09-28
Genre: Solar pumps
ISBN: 9781788530361
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Solar power for pumping groundwater has a vast potential for improving the sustainability of water supply schemes. However experience also shows that a lack of knowledge, capacity and expertise to design and implement such schemes is holding back their adoption. This book bridges this gap to equip engineers and technicians with the requisite knowledge for design, implementation and operation of sustainable solar powered water schemes.Solar Pumping for Water Supply is a state of the art review of solar water pumping technology combined with practical insights, lessons and best practices drawn from experience. It takes the reader step by step through the different phases that comprise a solar water pumping project, namely: assessment, design, purchase of equipment, installation, operation and management. The book also covers the economics of using solar pumping technology, especially when compared to diesel generators and hand pumps. Finally, the social aspects are included, specifically relating to the operation and management of solar pumping systems and the role that beneficiaries, implementers, government and the private sector might play to ensure long-lasting water supply. The book provides links and references to tools, documents and videos to accompany the content of the different chapters.Essential reading for solar technical practitioners at NGOs, UN agencies, government offices and private sector, including Global and Regional Technical advisors and Field engineers wanting to understand and know how to design water systems using solar power. A basic knowledge in the field of water supply is assumed, but no previous knowledge of solar photovoltaic technology is required.Alberto Ibáñez Llario is a Global Solar and Water Advisor with the International Organization for Migration and has 15 years of experience in water systems and solar PV in various locations around the world.Asenath Kiprono is a solar water pumping expert with 12 years' experience in design and implementation of pumping systems in rural Africa, including solar pumping systems in the private, public and humanitarian sectors.

The potential for solar-powered groundwater irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa

The potential for solar-powered groundwater irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa
Author: Chandler Cowell
Publisher: RTI Press
Total Pages: 18
Release: 2022-11-07
Genre: Science
ISBN:
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This study considers existing off-grid initiatives that are being implemented in support of more rapid electrification in sub-Saharan Africa. After first reviewing the successes and obstacles of commonly implemented off-grid solutions, we suggest groundwater irrigation powered via off-grid solar (OGS) systems as a productivity-focused electrification solution that could be valuable to off-grid development initiatives moving forward. This solution encourages the establishment of OGS pumping infrastructure in unelectrified areas in proximity to nonirrigated agriculture that have promising and sustainable groundwater abstraction potential. Using open-access spatial data to estimate the alignment of these resources is an important first step in determining potential study sites for on-the-ground research and pilot projects. This study focuses on applying the above approach to Ethiopia to produce a spatial layer representing areas that are recommended for further assessment of their OGS groundwater irrigation viability. We follow the spatial analysis with a projection of potential gains from investment in OGS groundwater pumping systems under different scenarios to highlight the solution’s viability with regional context. This assessment provides an initial methodology for identifying, examining, and expanding upon potential markets where OGS irrigation can become an economically viable solution.

Is irrigation fit for purpose? A review of the relationships between scheme size and performance of irrigation systems

Is irrigation fit for purpose? A review of the relationships between scheme size and performance of irrigation systems
Author: McCarthy, Nancy
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
Total Pages: 57
Release: 2023-04-18
Genre: Political Science
ISBN:
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Irrigation is increasingly being called upon to help stabilize and grow food and water security in the face of multiple crises; these crises include climate change, but also recent global food and energy price crises, including the 2007/08 food and energy price crises, and the more recent crises triggered by the COVID 19 pandemic and the war on Ukraine. While irrigation development used to focus on public, large-scale, surface- and reservoir-fed systems, over the last several decades, private small-scale investments in groundwater irrigation have grown in importance and are expected to see rapid future growth, particularly in connection with solar-powered pumping systems. But is irrigation ‘fit-for-purpose’ to support population growth, economic development, and multiple food, energy and climate crises? This paper reviews how fit-for-purpose irrigation is with a focus on economies of scale of surface and groundwater systems, and a particular examination of systems in Sub-Saharan Africa where the need for expansion is largest. The review finds challenges for both larger surface and smaller groundwater systems in the face of growing demand for irrigated agriculture and dwindling and less reliable water supplies. To support resilience of the sector, we propose both a holistic design and management improvement agenda for larger surface systems, and a series of suggestions to improve sustainability concerns of groundwater systems

The Benefits and Risks of Solar Powered Irrigation - a global overview

The Benefits and Risks of Solar Powered Irrigation - a global overview
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 87
Release: 2018-04-12
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9251304793
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The report gives a state-of-the-art overview of policies, regulations and incentives for the sustainable use of solar-powered irrigation technologies (SPIS) around the world. SPIS offer a viable, low-tech energy solution for irrigated agriculture, providing a reliable source of energy in remote areas, contributing to rural electrification, reducing energy costs for irrigation and enabling low emission agriculture. Nevertheless, SPIS have a significant initial investment cost and require innovative financing models to overcome this barrier to adoption, especially for small-scale farmers. Technical knowledge and service infrastructure is needed to ensure that the systems run effectively. Moreover, SPIS – if not adequately managed - bear the risk of fostering unsustainable water use as lower energy costs may lead to over-abstraction of groundwater. This report looks at how different countries work to create an enabling environment for SPIS technologies, while managing the risks that come with it.

Global Diagnostic on Groundwater Governance

Global Diagnostic on Groundwater Governance
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 210
Release: 2018-07-03
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9251092591
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This report aims at integrating regional and country experiences and projects with regard to viable groundwater management practices for the future. It compiles and translates best available present scientific and technical knowledge on groundwater resources and their governance, which is often highly specialized, into simpler language and synoptic representations, accessible to a large public of policy and decision makers across development sectors. It serves as a technical basis for the visioning process, and for the definition of the Framework for Action on groundwater governance.This is one of 3 outputs of project GCP/GLO/277/GEF expected to be published under the names of its 5 partner organizations and widely circulated to policy and decision-makers in countries, as well as other stakeholders of groundwater governance and practionners around the world. This outputs provides the technical basis for the other two: A Global Vision for Groundwater Governance 2030 and Global Framework for Action to Achieve the Vision on Groundwater Governance.

Solar Water Pumping

Solar Water Pumping
Author: Robert Foster
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 234
Release: 2018-07-07
Genre:
ISBN: 9780415713498
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Pumping water is a universal need and a major energy challenge, especially where electrical service is absent, expensive or unreliable. Water demands are greatest when the sun shines most intensely. Could there be a better power source for pumping, than the sunshine itself? Over a million solar pumps are already in use for irrigation, livestock, pond and stream management, water treatment, homes and communities, emergency relief, government and recreational facilities, and more. They are rapidly replacing hand pumps, engines, windmills, and even public grid power. To succeed, designers, suppliers, funders and owners need to understand the unique aspects of this technology. This comprehensive and unique volume fills a major gap in the literature on this rapidly-growing industry. Three pioneering authors share over 80 years of combined solar pumping experience in private, public and educational sectors. They describe the theory and practice of solar pumping, including small, medium and large scale approaches, for the developing and the developed world. The book covers solar power, pump and control technologies, system sizing and design, storage and back-up, installation, operation and maintenance, and remote connectivity. It presents accessibility solutions for small farms and villages, as well as advice for involving communities, business, NGOs and financial institutions, based on the diverse experience of the authors. Examples with full colour illustrations and photos are included throughout. Real world case studies are presented from around the world, including Africa, Asia and the US, plus a ten-year follow-up study of more than 200 systems in Mexico. Overall, the volume will serve as a standard reference for years to come.