In the remote off-grid areas of Bangladesh, the number of irrigation pumps powered by diesel is quite high. The price volatility and difficult transportation of diesel undoubtedly put heavy burden on the farmers. The Government of Bangladesh has been trying to address the issue recently by showing sincere inclination towards sustainable agriculture via promoting the use of solar powered irrigation pumps. IDCOL has already started implementing solar irrigation pump projects in many areas and aims to install 50,000 such systems by 2025. However, solar irrigation pump systems tend to remain under-utilized over a significant portion of a year, especially during lengthy monsoon season. If arrangements can be made to supply electricity from these systems into the national grid during off-season, path will open up to exploit the untapped potential.

Recent statistics from the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) suggests that the number of diesel-run irrigation pumps has risen even higher and has reached 1.34 million (SREDA, 2017). The difficulty in transporting diesel to the fields and the inconsistency of supply at times make the farmers dependent on intermediaries, which then results in the increased price of diesel and the overall cost of irrigation and food production. 19% of the remaining irrigation units are powered by electricity from the national grid, which adds additional strain on the electricity infrastructure. The country is still faced with acute power shortages on a daily basis and the additional demand for electricity from the national grid exacerbates the situation. Most of these electricity-run irrigation pumps have to be operated at night. Regardless of the fuel used for irrigation; i.e., diesel and electricity, the existing pumps are responsible for a sizeable contribution in the country’s fossil fuel consumption and total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This scenario demonstrates the significant potential for utilizing renewable energy technologies, especially solar photovoltaic powered irrigation pumps in the agricultural sector of Bangladesh.

Status of SIP in Bangladesh:

In Bangladesh, an agriculture-based county faces many difficulties in cultivation. The agricultural sector disrupted due to climate changes. Changes in rainfall patterns are such as excess rainfall and irregularity of rains, causing floods and droughts in the country every year. The agricultural sector of the country is being affected which causes less productivity. The solar irrigation pumps can ensure water for cultivation especially during dry season, irrigation is very necessary for cultivation. In the rural areas of the Bangladesh electricity supply is limited. The solar irrigation pumps can help the farmers by providing uninterrupted water supply for their cultivation. The solar irrigation pumps can reduce farmers’ dependences on diesel run irrigation pumps that are costly for farmers especially in remote areas. Moreover, the PV-module based solar irrigation plays a significant role for the environment by reducing the carbon emission.

The subtropical monsoon climatic condition of Bangladesh is characterized by wide seasonal variation in temperature, rainfall and humidity. A hot and humid summer with intermittent rainfall from March to June is followed by a long rainy season lasting from June to October. Heavy monsoon throughout these long months often results in floods submerging vast cultivatable agricultural lands across the country. It is only reasonable to assume that majority of SIP systems will not be in operation during this long off-season. But once connected to the grid, the solar photovoltaic units will produce electricity and feed into the grid. This scenario is likely to offer significant challenges in terms of stable and reliable operation of the national grid. Moreover, the Government will have to devise tariff structures to incentivize the farmers owning SIP units without putting any extra burden on the utilities. Therefore, technically reliable and financially feasible solutions in terms of interconnection requirements, safety and protection schemes, metering arrangements, and tariff structure should be developed to meet the future challenges.

Steps of SDRS on SIP:

On 1st January 2014, SDRS was exposed to help the rural people by establishing the solar irrigation pumps (denotes Solar AC Submersible Pump) in two different locations, Gaibandha and Thakurgaon districts. This project was expanded when SDRS started working with the collaboration of IDCOL through installation of 3 solar irrigation pumps having 29 KW energy power on 30th June, 2014 which was denominated as phase-1. After successful study, SDRS came to know that the project was so viable and helpful for the rural people especially for the farmers and household too.

Two years later, SDRS installed 6 more pumps having 124 KW with the assistance of IDCOL on 31st July, 2016 in phase-2 by including four more upazilas that are Sadullapur, Mithapukur and Horipur which was milestone steps for SDRS. The solar irrigation pumps that installed at phase 1 and phase 2 are more durable and its durability minimum 20 years long. The output from total 9 solar irrigation pumps is approximately 9,656,380liters per day. On 25th March, 2018 partnering with LGSP (Local Governance Support Project), SDRS installed 17 irrigation pumps at different unions in Thakurgaon district. Thus, 187 KW solar energy is already installed in different phase. More than 1050 farmers and 550 household are taking solar irrigation pump facility till today and this number will be increased and enlisted after field study. To monitor the overall project, 08 (eight) project specialists have been assigned. In addition, SDRS introduces portable solar irrigation pump in Bangladesh.

Working Principle of SIP:

Solar irrigation pumps are based on solar photovoltaic technology that converts sunlight into electricity to operate the pump and transport water from sources to the irrigation fields. The system usually consists of solar photovoltaic arrays, control circuits (required electronics), a DC/AC motor pump-set, and piping arrangement. Depending on the requirement there can be water storage tank and battery as well. The motor converts electric energy supplied by the PV into mechanical energy, which is then further converted into hydraulic energy by the pump. The capacity of a SIP system is a function of three variables that are pressure, flow and power to the pump.

Like many other developing nations, the Government of Bangladesh has been very active in promoting renewable energy across the country. The activity has been extended to the agricultural sector as well. SREDA has developed ‘Guidelines for the Implementation of Solar Power Development Program’ in 2013, which promotes the use of solar energy for irrigation. According to this guideline, various partner organizations (POs) will be responsible for financing the SIP projects. In order to keep the price of delivered irrigation water within tolerable limits, IDCOL will support in securing up to 85% of the total project finance from various funds and grants.

Ongoing project:

SDRS is now is working to have massive growth in pump project in phase 03 by installing 25 more pumps within year end at different places in Rangpur, Thakurgaon and Gaibandha districts. Through working in phase 03 solar irrigation pump project within this year and then we will be capable to generate 1091.025 KW or 1.09 MW more solar energy which will be saved from national grid on electricity. Within the year of 2025, SDRS is aiming to install 300 more pumps at different locations in Bangladesh and hopefully it will create a milestone in real sense.

Our Pumping Solution provides:

1. Solar Irrigation system for agriculture.
2. Solar Pumping system for domestic use.
3. Solar pumping system for Fountain, Beautification. Etc.

Solution Range:

1. Large Capacity Pump: From 5 KW to 50 KW (Submersible pump)
2. Small Capacity Pump: 1.1 KW, 2 KW, 3 KW, 5.5 KW etc. (Submersible pump)
3. Surface Pump: From .5 KW to 20 KW.