Solar Water Supply Systems

About the Course

In the era of transformative technology, solar power solutions are ready to drive efforts toward global sustainable development goals. Solar-powered water systems are used to enhance water infrastructure, displace diesel generator systems, upgrade unreliable electric grids, and build resiliency for climate change. While acknowledging its merits, there are persistent misconceptions and capacity gaps surrounding solar water systems. Current international standards and reference materials often need to be more utilised, resulting in inadequate dimensioning, installation, operation, and maintenance of these systems. Failure to leverage the full potential of this technology could hinder the realisation of its benefits and exacerbate existing challenges in the rural water supply.

This 5-day comprehensive Solar Water Supply Systems training course offers an overview of the principles and practice of solar water supply systems to rural water professionals of all backgrounds and levels of expertise, facilitating delegates to explore opportunities and risks associated with the technology in their professional contexts. This program aims to address common misconceptions regarding solar water supply systems as well as raise awareness and increase utilisation of existing standards and reference materials in the short term, and ultimately improve the sustainability and impact of such new technology.

Core Objectives

This training course provides delegates with a comprehensive overview of the principles, assessments, and best practices for solar powered water systems. Such knowledge and skills are necessary to ensure the water system infrastructure's efficient, reliable, and optimal performance.

Delegates will achieve the following objectives:

• Understand the basics of energy and power fundamentals
• Understand opportunities and common barriers to the application of solar water supply systems
• Understand solar water supply system components and functions
• Design and size solar water supply systems
• Install and commission solar water supply systems
• Operate and maintain solar water supply systems
• Apply existing standards, guidelines, and best practices for solar water supply systems

Training Approach

This training course embraces a bottom-up approach, starting with a quick look at energy, power, and photovoltaic fundamentals. Then, it provides the needed introduction to solar powered water supply systems, where comprehending system design principles is desired. During this program, installation best practices, operation, and maintenance procedures are fully explored. This will encompass systems practical hands-on and evaluation. It relies on individual/group exercises aimed at helping delegates learn all key activities for solar water systems, as well as several case studies, presentations, and discussions. 

The Attendees

This training course is designed for individuals with lightly technical backgrounds. Delegates are not expected to have an advanced understanding of electromechanical pumping systems. It is mainly offered to those strongly motivated to explore the technology's applicability within their respective professional contexts.

Likewise, it will be valuable to the professionals but not limited to the following:

• System Designers
• Project Managers
• Facility Managers
• Quality and Management Professionals
• Technicians
• Installers
• Maintenance Staff
• Solar Energy Enthusiasts

Daily Discussion

DAY ONE: BASICS & FUNDAMENTALS

• Energy: Power Definition & Formula
• Power Triangle & Power Factor Correction
• Power Quality
• Traditional Energy Resources
• Grid & Interconnection Definitions
• The Solar Spectrum  Solar Radiation Measurements
• Direct, Diffuse, & Reflected-Beam Radiation
• Photovoltaic Effect and Equivalent Circuit
• From Cells to Modules to Arrays
• The PV I–V Curve under the Standard Test Conditions (STC)
• Impacts of Temperature and Insolation on I–V Curves

DAY TWO: SOLAR PANELS IN SOLAR WATER PUMPING SYSTEMS

• Various Types of Solar Panels
• How They Work
• How Users Can Add and Size their Solar Panels
• Energy Losses Due to Cell Temperature
• Wiring Energy Losses
• Energy Losses related to the Sun Irradiance
• Energy Losses related to the PV Module
• Energy Losses related to Power Converters and the Balance of System
• Estimation of the Energy Yield
• Assessment of System Efficiency and Performance

DAY THREE: SOLAR WATER SYSTEM DESIGN

• Overview of Solar Water Supply Systems
• Components of Solar Water Supply Systems
• Functions of Each Component
• Types of Solar Water Supply Systems PV-Powered Water Pumping
• Hydraulic System Curve and Pump Curve Combined
• A Simple Directly Coupled PV–Pump Design Approach
• Design Principles for Solar Water Supply Systems
• Sizing Solar Panels and Batteries
• System Configuration for Efficiency
• Calculating Water Demand for Sizing

DAY FOUR: SOLAR WATER SYSTEM INSTALLATION & OPERATION

• Installation Procedures for Solar Water Supply Systems
• Commission Solar Water Supply Systems
• Mounting Solar Panels and Components
• Wiring and Connection Guidelines
• System Commissioning and Testing
• Operate and Maintain Solar Water Supply Systems
• Operational Checks and Monitoring
• Preventive Maintenance Practices
• Troubleshooting and Repairs
• Demonstration and Simulation

DAY FIVE: PRACTICAL ASPECTS

• Tank Automation
• Sun Tracking
• Over-pumping of Aquifers due to Solar Powered Schemes
• Solar PV in Hot Climate Zones and Hot Water Pumping
• Quality Criteria for Solar Products & Services
• Selection of Quality Solar Products
• Supplier Selection
• Pricing of Solar Schemes
• Economic Appraisal Using Life Cycle Cost for Water Pumping
• Data Logging and Advance System Monitoring and Diagnosis Tools