Irrigation systems for the solar-photovoltaic energy program
The viability of solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems is considered for twelve farm irrigation systems in eight major irrigation states. Four of the states--Arizona, California, Nebraska, Texas--are the major U.S. consumers of pumped and applied irrigation water. Primary energy requirements of irrigation systems show that auto-surface, gated pipe systems with water re-use, and trickle/drip systems have the most compatible low-energy requirements to apply water with PV arrays. Pumping energy required by present PV arrays ranges from 0.5 to 0.7 million Btus to lift and apply one-acre-foot of water from a static 50-foot lift by low-lift irrigation systems. Solar-cell arrays integrated into farm systems can be substituted for the escalating costs of other power sources. The low power of PV arrays can be keyed to the energy requirements of extensive automation in irrigation and co-linked with other low-energy farm uses.
- Research Organization:
- Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Lexington (USA). Lincoln Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-02-4094
- OSTI ID:
- 6439809
- Report Number(s):
- COO-4094-2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
IRRIGATION
ENERGY DEMAND
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
USES
ARIZONA
CALIFORNIA
CROPS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
FARMS
FLORIDA
KANSAS
NEBRASKA
NEW MEXICO
OREGON
POWER DEMAND
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
TEXAS
WATER RESOURCES
MIDWEST REGION
NORTH AMERICA
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
RESOURCES
SOUTHEAST REGION
SOUTHWEST REGION
USA
WESTERN REGION
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion
553000 - Agriculture & Food Technology