Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have become one of the key technologies in the clean energy sector, converting solar energy into electricity to power our lives. However, the efficiency and sustainability of solar PV systems are still at the center of attention. Against this backdrop, the use of solar pump inverters is coming to the fore. Inverter.com will explore how solar pump inverters can be used in solar PV systems to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the system.
The main goal of solar pump inverters is to fully utilize solar energy to power water pumps, resulting in energy savings, lower operating costs, and reduced dependence on the traditional power grid. The emergence of solar water pumps is the most attractive way to supply water in remote areas where there is a lack of electricity and no electricity. Utilizing solar energy that is available everywhere and inexhaustible, the solar photovoltaic system is fully automated to work at sunrise and rest at sunset, without the need for personnel to look after it, and the maintenance workload can be reduced to a minimum, making it the ideal green energy system integrating economy, reliability, and environmental protection benefits.
The Working Principle of Solar Pump Inverter
A solar pump inverter is a device that can convert solar energy into mechanical energy. Its working principle is similar to that of a conventional inverter, but there are some key differences. The main function of a solar pump inverter is to convert DC electrical energy from solar PV panels into AC electrical energy, which is then transferred to the water pump system to drive the pump.
Using Solar Pump Inverters in Solar PV System
When using a solar pump inverter in a solar photovoltaic system, certain steps and precautions need to be followed. To ensure the normal operation and safety of the system. The following are detailed steps and precautions for use:
Install the inverter
- Fix it to the wall or other appropriate location according to the installation instructions of the solar inverter for home.
- The installation site should avoid direct sunlight and rain, and the inverter should be kept at a certain distance from the cable to reduce electromagnetic interference.
- Carefully check whether the circuit meets the requirements, whether the components and terminals are loose during transportation, whether the insulation is well insulated, and whether the grounding of the system meets the regulations.
Connect the cable
- Connect the DC cable of the solar panel to the DC input terminal of the inverter.
- Make sure the cable is firmly connected without looseness, and check whether the insulation is good.
Connect the grid (if applicable)
Before connecting the inverter to the grid, you need to first confirm whether the polarity of the power cord is correct and turn off the output protection switch. When the cable is connected correctly, the inverter can be successfully connected to the grid.
Turn on the inverter
- Follow the inverter's startup instructions, turn on the solar inverter power switch, and release any emergency stop button (if any).
- Before starting up, check whether the input voltage is normal. When operating, pay attention to whether the order of power on and off is correct, and whether the indications of each meter and indicator light are normal.
Monitoring display
- The solar pump inverter's display screen will display the inverter's output voltage, output current, output power, solar panel output power, power factor and other information.
- Always monitor these parameters to ensure that the inverter and solar panel are working properly.
Maintenance and care
- Regularly check the internal cleanliness of the inverter, the tightness of the input and output terminal screws, the condition of the fan and whether it consumes power, etc.
- There is high voltage in the inverter cabinet, and the operator is generally not allowed to open the cabinet door, which should be locked at ordinary times. Once the alarm stops, it cannot be started immediately. The cause should be found and repaired before starting.
- Untrained personnel are not allowed to operate the equipment.
Inverters generally have short circuits, overcurrent, overvoltage, overtemperature, and other protections. When these phenomena occur, there is no need to shut down manually, and the automatic protection will start immediately. The inverter must comply with local power safety regulations when working. If the user is not familiar with the safety rules or cannot use the power equipment according to the safety rules, it is recommended to seek help from professionals.
Application in Solar PV System
In the past, water pumps were usually driven by electric or diesel motors for water supply, but electric and diesel genset-driven pumps not only have high operation and maintenance costs but also consume fossil energy and damage the ecological environment. Nowadays, solar photovoltaic can be used for water supply, as long as the light resource is abundant, the underground or the surrounding rivers and lakes are rich in water resources, the use of solar photovoltaic systems and solar pump inverters to water supply, it can be used for agricultural irrigation, sand treatment, urban water features, water for life and other fields.
- Agricultural Irrigation: Farmland needs to be connected to solar PV panels through solar photovoltaic arrays, good quality solar pump inverters, and photovoltaic controllers, solar photovoltaic panels convert solar radiation into direct current electrical energy and transfer it to the solar pump inverter, solar pump inverter is equipped with MPPT technology, which can real-time monitoring of solar photovoltaic panels output and ensure the optimal use of solar energy to maximize the efficiency of the solar PV system. From the solar pump inverter, electricity is converted to power a pumping machine that pumps water into the irrigated area to irrigate the crops.
- Sand Management: Desert areas without electricity and water are a regular phenomenon, and sunny, the ground contains water resources, this time the use of solar PV systems, solar energy using solar pump inverters into electricity, solar pump inverter can adjust the frequency and voltage of the output of AC energy to adapt to different pump types and operational needs. This includes starting, stopping, and speed regulation, as well as the realization of the optimal working point to improve pump efficiency, to provide power for the solar pump inverter unit, the water will be used to the required area, but also be installed solar panels to the required location, not only to solve the problem of residents in the desert area without electricity, drought problems, but also to achieve the purpose of the sand prevention.
- Urban Water Features: Urban landscape planning and water features are inseparable, but driven by electricity, operating costs, and maintenance costs are slightly higher, solar PV systems can provide no grid, and no artificial duty, relying on the combination of solar pump inverter in the solar photovoltaic system to save costs, save resources, and the current economic and environmental protection concepts.
- Domestic Water: The water we use in our lives also needs to be stored and then flow into our hands from a cistern via a water pipe. In this process, the solar photovoltaic system also plays an important role, relying on a PV solar energy system can also save the city's resources to make the smallest contribution.
In this way, the submersible pump with solar pump inverter can meet the fields of agricultural irrigation, sand treatment, urban water features, and domestic water use without electricity and unattended. Through proper design and maintenance, solar pump inverters can improve the efficiency and sustainability of solar PV systems, providing reliable power and water resources for communities and agriculture. With the continuous development of technology, solar pump inverters will play a key role in more fields to promote the application and popularization of clean energy.
