Renewable Energy-Based Water Pumping System with Solar, Wind, and Energy Storage

Abstract

The design, installation, and performance assessment of a hybrid renewable energy water pumping system that incorporates solar photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and an energy storage unit are presented in this study. By integrating solar and wind energy sources with a charge controller and battery storage, the system is designed to solve the intermittency and variability issues that these sources provide. This ensures a consistent and dependable water supply that is appropriate for remote and off-grid settings. A vertical-axis wind turbine and solar panels are used in the proposed water pumping system to capture natural energy, which is then stored in a 12V battery under the supervision of a specially made charge controller. A DC water pump designed for domestic water supply and irrigation is powered by the stored energy. The system\'s ability to provide steady water flow and effective energy management is demonstrated by experimental prototype testing conducted in a variety of weather conditions. By lowering reliance on traditional power grids and fossil fuels, the hybrid system exhibits better operational efficiency, increased dependability, and environmental sustainability as compared to single-source renewable pumping alternatives. In addition to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and fostering energy independence, this work emphasizes the potential of combining several renewable energy sources with energy storage for sustainable water resource management in rural and developing regions.

Introduction

Overview:
Water scarcity and unreliable electricity in rural and off-grid regions create challenges for traditional water pumping systems that rely on grid power or fossil fuels. This project develops a hybrid renewable energy water pumping system that integrates solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT), battery storage, and a charge controller to provide a sustainable, reliable, and eco-friendly water supply for domestic and agricultural uses. The hybrid approach overcomes the intermittent nature of solar and wind energy, maximizing energy availability and ensuring continuous pump operation.

Key Components & Functions:

1. Solar PV Panels: Convert sunlight into DC electricity, sized based on pump power and water demand.

2. Wind Turbine (VAWT): Generates electricity during low sunlight periods, enhancing energy reliability.

3. Battery Bank: Stores excess energy for backup during low renewable input, providing 20 hours of operation.

4. Charge Controller with MPPT: Optimizes energy harvest, regulates battery charging, and protects system components.

5. Water Pump: DC submersible or surface pump selected according to flow rate and total dynamic head (TDH).

6. Water Level Sensors & Controller: Automates pump operation to prevent dry run or overflow using a microcontroller (e.g., Arduino).

7. Auxiliary Equipment: Includes fuses, wiring, mounting structures, and enclosures for safe and efficient operation.

Design Methodology:

• Site Assessment: Evaluates solar irradiance, wind resources, water demand, static head, and site topography.

• Mathematical Modeling: Calculates hydraulic power, TDH, pump sizing, solar array capacity, battery requirements, system losses, and flow rate.

• System Architecture: Integrates PV array, wind turbine, pump controller with MPPT, sensors, water pump, and optional battery storage into a cohesive automated system.

• Workflow: Water level sensors provide feedback to the microcontroller, which controls the pump operation to maintain desired water levels, prevent overflows, and conserve energy.

Performance & Advantages:

• Water flow rate increases with solar irradiance (e.g., 2 L/min at low sunlight to 48 L/min at peak).

• Hybrid operation ensures reliable pumping even in variable weather conditions.

• Pumping efficiency ranges from 56% to 66%.

• Reduces reliance on fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, and operational costs.

• Socioeconomic benefits include increased water accessibility for households, livestock, and irrigation, reducing manual labor and boosting agricultural productivity.

• Suitable for off-grid and rural applications due to autonomous operation and adaptability to renewable input fluctuations.

Conclusion

The hybrid solar-wind water pumping system provides a reliable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly solution for rural water supply, combining renewable energy generation, storage, and automated control to ensure continuous operation and improved water accessibility.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Aryan Ajayrao Ratnaparkhi, Sujal Dharmpal Bagde, Saransh Suresh Dongre, Dr. Pravin Pisal, Dr. (Mrs.) J. P. Rothe, Dr. Vijay M. Wadhai. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.