Solar PV water pumping study - FINAL REPORT ... - UNDP, Namibia

Feasibility Assessment for the Replacement of Diesel Pumps with Solar Pumps
FINAL REPORT: September 2006
PVP technology is sophisticated and maintenance on PVP’s does require skilled technicians.
The water storage for PVPs needs to incorporate storage for days of low irradiance
(inclement weather) but in general irradiation levels for Namibia are more predictable than for
example wind resources. The over-sizing of the water storage reservoir is therefore within
limits. A perceived limiting factor of PVPs is that they do not easily cater for fluctuating water
demands or increased water demand although solutions for this are being offered and will be
discussed in this study.
This study, which is assessing the viability of replacing diesel pumps with PV water pumps,
will focus on water pumping installations with borehole depths of less than 200m. Many
existing installations are fitted with wind pumps, electrical pumps (on grid) and hand pump
technologies. These technologies do not form part of the feasibility assessment.
1.2 SCOPE OF WORK
The objective of this study is to analyse the recent trends in the use and costs of PVPs and
to conduct a comparative cost benefit analysis between diesel and PVP, based on the life
cycle costing approach. With recent technical developments in the PVP sector and with
anticipated increase in diesel fuel prices as well as possible shortages, breakeven between
the two technologies may be shorter than expected.
In summary the scope of work includes:
1. Installation quantities of solar PV water pumps in commercial, communal and public
facilities and price developments of the capital cost of PVPs over the last five years.
2. Conduct a comparative cost benefit analysis between diesel and solar PV water
pumps taking into account the current diesel price (including variations of price within
the country) as well as anticipated fuel price escalation.
3. Identify the operating and performance conditions under which it is viable to replace
diesel pumps with solar PV pumps.
4. Identify the social factors, preferences and satisfaction levels that determine the
criteria for selecting a PV pumping or a diesel water pump.
5. Identify the barriers to PVP adoption in the commercial, communal and public sector
and make recommendations on how to address these barriers. Review and propose
financial incentives as well as government policies that can facilitate the adoption of
PVPs.
6. Evaluate the reduction in green house gas emissions for two PVP uptake scenarios.
The report presents the outputs for the above tasks in three sections titled:
• Water pumping in Namibia,
• Life cycle analysis, and
• Facilitation of PV Pumping.
The report summarises the findings in the conclusion and presents recommendations for
further activities.
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