Location: Ain Sfa, Oujda, Morocco
Capacity/Flow: 120m³/day
Solar Installation: modules: Isofoton 40× 250Wp, size 1667×994×45mm
Lorentz Solar Pump: PS4000C-SJ17-4
Land Size: 6 hectares
Solar Water Pumping for Irrigation in Oujda, Morocco
Problem
In the village of Ain Sfa 30km from the city of Oujda (Morocco), Noureddine Lahmidi used diesel and subsidized butane to power his irrigation pumps which irrigate 6 ha of olive trees. Increasing energy prices and supply problems meant that an alternative power supply was required. This remote village is not connected to the electrical grid. Diesel and butane prices are increasing due to market prices and subsidy reductions. Fossil fuel deliveries are also subject to supply difficulties resulting in an inability to water crops. The internal combustion engines were also unreliable. These combined difficulties resulted in an increase in the cost of production and therefore a ecrease in competitiveness.
Solution
Following a usage and cost analysis it was decided to replace fossil fuel powered pumps with solar powered pumps. The principle of solar water pumping is simple and the techniques and technologies are proven and very reliable.