Pumping water is a sensible and effective use of solar electric power. During the hot months, when water requirements are highest, a solar pump will provide a reliable water source for the farm. Wind power, by comparison, can be inconsistent and may not be available during the hottest months in many inland areas. Wind may be too unreliable for water pumping when a relatively constant supply is required, as for stock watering. 

    A solar water pumping system is essentially an electrically driven pumping system. Electricity, in this instance is produced by the sunlight energising photovoltaic (Solar) modules. 

   A solar pumping system is available for almost all applications where an electric pump can be used. Because solar energy varies from one location to another, and over the course of a day, system design is important. 

    The typical solar cell is a thin wafer of silicon that transforms light energy into electrical energy. The cells are encapsulated in flat modules to protect them from the weather. Glass used on the front surface of the Module through which the sun's light travels to the cells, is of a low iron content to allow maximum transmission of the wavelengths which are converted to electrical energy and is tempered to withstand hailstones, much the same as motor vehicle windscreen glass is tempered to make it tough. 

       Any number of modules can be connected together to form an array. The array is sized to meet a pumping system's power requirements. 

      Adequate water storage ensures that water is available whenever needed, and balances daily variations in water supply and demand. Thus a small pump only running when the sun shines, plus water storage, can provide the average requirement for water supply. 

    Solar pumping uses a free, easily accessible and renewable source of energy. Power bills are 
eliminated. With solar pumping, maintenance costs are minimised. 

     Solar modules are strong, robust and encapsulated into toughened glass, tempered to withstand hailstones, in a sturdy, aluminium frame that will last even in harsh environmental conditions. Using solar allows opportunities for livestock, vegetables, trees and other crop production to be developed in areas where other forms of pumping are impractical. Solar water pumping systems are reliable. Solar systems won't fail on those hot, still days when the windmill stands motionless. 

      Solar water pumps perform at their best and provide water throughout summer months when demand is greatest. 

Solar water pumping systems need little supervision requiring only periodic checking. Solar   pumps automatically start soon after sunrise and continue to work unattended until sunset.

       Solar water pumping systems operate all year round, even on cloudy dull days with little or no direct sunlight. Solar water pumping systems can be designed to be transported for use at a number of sites. This can eliminate the need for multiple pumping units. 

       Solar modules have no moving parts and an expected working life of at least 30 years.

Although solar water pumps have been developed from some fairly sophisticated 'hi-tech' components they are relatively simple, uncomplicated packages of equipment. Solar water pumping systems consist of three basic components: Power source (photovoltaic solar modules), motor/pump assembly, and power controller (maximizers/optimizers/m.p.p.t's) for matching the changing electrical output of the array to suit the motor/pump. 
 
 
  

    The late Mr. Larry Ayre from Proston inspecting his floating Solar pumping system, at the dam and at the storage tank some distance from the Dam. The system is designed to stop the pump automatically when the tank is full.
 

    The late Mr. George Gentry from Nanango inspecting the flow from his Solar Borehole pump. A new bore was sunk to supplement an existing windmill, which was not providing enough water for his stock. In his words "The sun is more reliable than the wind". This system was installed for around  $3000 complete - a similar price to a windmill, with much easier maintenance. George installed a second Solar pumping system in another paddock, obviously because he was happy with the performance of the original system.