DESCRIPTION

Each village where we dig wells would also receive a solar powered pump to draw water into a reservoir high over head in a water tower for the village.

Solar water pumping Greatly reduces a fundamental burden for the people of Rural Mali by giving them immediate, clean, readily accessible, pre-pumped water, stored in an above-the-ground bladder, using energy from solar panels to power an electric water pump and providing a superior alternative to hand pump wells or diesel generated pumps.

The World Bank has concluded that solar panels are less costly for all hydraulic volumes up to 3,000 cubic meters of water per day. With the cost of solar panels dropping and durability bringing the lifespan up to around 25 years, solar water pumping has become operationally, financially, and environmentally sustainable.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations released a report on the benefits and risks of solar-powered irrigation in which it stated, “At farm level, PV (photovoltaic) technology can constitute a reliable source of energy for pumping of irrigation water in remote areas, particularly in areas that are not connected to the electricity grid or where regular supply of liquid fuels and maintenance services is not guaranteed. Moreover, solar pumps can help to improve access to water. In countries with economic water scarcity, this can help to buffer the effects of drought and to overcome water stress during dry seasons, when groundwater is the only available water source, or when surface water has to be hauled over long distances. Through improved access to energy and water, SPIS (solar powered irrigation systems) can help to stabilize, increase and diversify production. Excess produce can be sold on markets and generate income. The increased availability of food can improve food security and nutritional intake, especially for small-scale farmers and their communities.