Test and analysis of a photovoltaic DC-motor pumping system

This paper presents the results of tests carried out at the Algerian University of Science and Technology of Oran (USTO), on a solar photovoltaic water pumping system. This comprises a 1.5 kWp PV array directly coupled to a DC motor and a centrifugal pump. The system was tested for its performance over a period of four months and for two static head configurations. Although the motor-pump efficiency did not exceed 30%, which is typical for directly-coupled photovoltaic pumping systems, such a system is clearly suitable for low head irrigation in remote areas not covered by the national electricity grid, and where access to water comes as first priority issue than access to technology.