How can I pump water using wind or solar power?
There are many situations when you need to pump water, perhaps in a DIY solar water heating or rainwater harvesting system, or a larger application such as a water supply from a well or river, or for irrigation. If there is no mains electricity nearby to run the pump, then a renewable energy technology could be ideal, as a grid connection may be expensive and a diesel generator noisy and polluting. One of the simplest renewable energy pumping systems is a solar fountain, which powers a low-voltage pump using a small photovoltaic (PV) panel. A complete solar fountain will cost upwards of £100, and the beauty of it is that it will work best on sunny days when you most want a water feature. Sizing a pump The two main factors to consider when seeking a suitable pump are the flow rate – the amount of water that the pump will deliver, and the head – the height through which it will raise the water. These are related – increasing the head will decrease the delivered flow. It’s important to mi
