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SIZING OF PV ARRAY FOR WATER PUMPING APPLICATION

Conference Paper · June 2016

DOI: 10.4229/EUPVSEC20162016-6AV.6.12

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 SIZING OF PV ARRAY FOR WATER PUMPING APPLICATION

A. F. Almarshoud
Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
dr_almarshoud@qu.edu.sa

ABSTRACT: Utilization of solar energy in water pumping is one of the most economically viable photovoltaic (PV)
applications especially in remote areas. The accurate sizing of PV array is essential, as under sizing will make the
pumping system unable to satisfy the water demand. On the other hand, over sizing of PV array leads to extra cost.
This paper presents a novel approach for sizing the PV array of water pumping systems. This approach depends on
the solar irradiance data of the shortest sunny day over the year to increase the reliability of pumping system. This
approach depends on determining the proper starting value of the solar irradiance on the global solar radiation curve
for tilted or moving surfaces. A design algorithm has been proposed for applying this approach including the
converting process of solar radiation values from horizontal surface to tilted surface. A case study from Buraydah city
in the middle of Saudi Arabia has been selected for applying the sizing approach.
Keywords: PV pumping; PV array sizing; water-pumping

1 INTRODUCTION
Several papers had been published dealing with PV
Several papers were published last decade about water pumping systems. They presented various methods
utilizing solar energy in water pumping applications for sizing the PV array. Some authors used a previously
either for residential water supply or crops irrigation. All sized PV array that matching the nominal rated power of
these papers use the same method of pump sizing which motor–pump system [1-4]. Others changed the
mainly depends on the flow rate of water and the configuration of the previously sized PV array based on
dynamic water head, but they differ in the methodology hourly solar radiation [5-7].
of sizing the PV array which mainly depends on the
efficiency of PV modules and the quality and quantity of One simple sizing method for PV array of pumping
solar irradiance available in the location of water source. systems utilizes a rule-of-thumb which attempts to
Most of published researches use the monthly average of capture the integrated effects of subsystem efficiency and
daily Global Horizontal Insolation GHI (kWh/m2/day) as flow losses. The rule-of-thumb relates the daily hydraulic
a base for sizing the PV array. This methodology is not energy (product of daily water flow by head length,
always adequate, especially in case of using large size of m4/day) to the required rated power of PV array [8-11].
pumps, which wouldn't start unless there is enough The value of hydraulic energy was estimated to be 0.6
amount of solar radiation. Also, in this method the m4/day/Wp [10]. This value, also, has been roughly
determination of operation hours is difficult as it depends confirmed by other authors [12, 13]. Using a rule-of-
on the sunshine during the day. To overcome this thumb, like this method greatly simplifies the sizing of
problem, a battery bank for at least one day of autonomy PV array as it gives the required array power rating as a
must be added which will increase the reliability of function of the required daily water flow and head.
pumping system, but this will increase the capital and
maintenance costs at the same time. Another method simplifies the sizing of PV array by
using the monthly average of daily solar insolation data
In this paper a simple and accurate approach has been to calculate the associated peak sun hours, this design
proposed for sizing the PV array, this approach depends method is common in the literature [14,15]. Noble [16]
on accurate measurements of solar radiation with and Burkhartzmeyer [17] summarized practical methods
resolution of five minutes at the most. The instantaneous for PV array sizing based on the idea of peak sun hours.
values of daily global horizontal irradiance GHI (W/m2) Also Cuadros et. al. [18], used the monthly average of
of the shortest sunny day in the year has been used as a daily global solar radiation and the monthly average of
basis for sizing the horizontal PV array. Also, a daily sunshine hours to size the PV array for each month
transformation model has been used for converting the alone, then finally select the biggest size to increase the
solar radiation data on horizontal surface to tilted surface reliability in low radiation months.
for sizing the tilted PV array. The shortest day in the year
usually be in December in the northern hemisphere, also Some authors used the monthly average of solar
the selected day should be sunny because, the cloudy day radiation on tilted surface of the worst month of the year
will lead to overestimation of PV array. Figure 1 shows to size the PV array required to operate the water pump.
the difference in solar radiation between sunny and [19], while, Azzedine et. al. [20], used the worst
cloudy day. In addition to that, the paper investigates the monthly average of solar radiation in addition to the
effect of using a sun-tracking system aiming at increasing maximum monthly of water demand to size the PV array.
the reliability and decreasing the capital cost. The Similarly, Campana et. al. [21], used the worst daily
proposed approach has been applied using a real solar collectable solar energy in addition to the system
radiation data measured in Buraydah City in the middle efficiency to size the PV array. Kaldellis [22], developed
of Saudi Arabia for the last three years. a simple algorithm for sizing the PV array based on the
monthly average of global horizontal irradiance only,
while, Zvonimir and Margeta [23], developed more
2 LITERATURE REVIEW complicated approach using dynamic programming to
size the PV array based on the average of solar energy 3.1 Converting from global horizontal to global tilted
available per day, taking into account all relevant irradiance
elements of PV pumping system. The solar radiation transposition between the
horizontal and tilted planes was investigated using
Some authors gave the reliability of water pumping various methods in the literature, here the commonly
system more attention by using the concept of loss of transposition models used in solar energy engineering
power supply probability (LPSP) as a criteria for sizing practice: Hay [26], Klucher [27], Skartveit [28], Perez
both, the PV array and the water storage tank [24,25]. [29], Reindl [30], Duffie and Beckman [31], Muneer
[32], ASHRAE [33] and Gueymard [34]. The
investigation of properties and differences between these
models is beyond the scope of this study. This study will
adopt the simple isotropic model of diffuse radiation
presented by Liu and Jordan [35] for its simplicity and
accuracy specially in clear sky case as follows:

(1)

Where Gt is the global irradiance on tilted plane whose its

tilt angle is β degrees from horizontal, Gdn is the direct
normal irradiance (DNI), Gd is the diffuse horizontal
irradiance (DHI), G is the global horizontal irradiance
(GHI), θ is the angle of incidence of the sun rays on the
tilted plane, Rd is the diffuse transposition factor, μ is the
foreground’s albedo, and Rr is the transposition factor for
ground reflection. Rd and Rr could be calculated from the
relations 2 and 3 given below.

(2)
(3)

The fraction of shortwave solar energy reflected from the

earth, back into space depends mainly on the earth
foreground. The foreground’s albedo, μ could be either
measured, modeled or estimated as given below.

Fig. 1: Solar radiation curves of sunny day (a) and cloudy

day (b) for Buraydah City on December 2014 The incidence angle θ of the sun rays is the angle
between the sun rays and the normal of tilted plane, it
3 THE PROPOSED METHOD may be calculated for a south-facing, tilted surface in the
northern hemisphere as follows [36]:
It is clear from the previous review that there are many
methods followed for sizing the PV array. These methods (4)
differ according to the available data of solar radiation and
sunshine hours. Some of these methods are very simple In case of using full tracking system [36]:
[1-11], and some are complicated [23-25]. Others are in
between [12-22]. Usually, the electric motors draw high (5)
current at starting. So, the PV array must be able to provide
the required current at starting. All the previous methods
Where L is the local latitude, h is the hour angle and δ is
didn’t take the starting current problem into account. As a
the declination angle and may be calculated as follows
result, the starting of the pump will be delayed until the
[36]:
solar radiation be enough for providing the required
starting current. The accurate sizing of PV array is essential
because the under sizing will make the pumping system (6)
unable to satisfy the water demand which means fail the
project. On the other hand, the over sizing of PV array where M is number of minutes from local solar noon
leads to extra cost where the PV modules represent about
60% of the capital cost which finally leads to bad
economic feasibility for the project. The present approach (7)
depends on selecting a proper value on the daily curve of
global tilted solar radiation of the shortest sunny day over where N is the day number within the year
the year which guarantees pumping the daily demand and In case of using full tracking system, the tilt angle β
motor starting. The motor will start as a sufficient amount varies with varying the sun, so it could be calculated as
of solar radiation will exists. follows [36]:
 (8) where NOCT is the Nominal Operating Cell Temperature
and Kt is the clearness index.
So, this variable value of β, will lead to variable values
for Rd & Rr based on the value of sun hour (h). 3.4 Sizing algorithm of PV array
The following algorithm has been proposed for sizing
the PV array of water pumping system:
3.2 Sizing of Motor-Pump system 1- Choose the shortest sunny day (Usually in December
The sizing of motor-pump system could be estimated for northern hemisphere) for using its solar radiation
on the basis of instantaneous water flow and the Total data (GHI, DNI and DHI) as a design input.
Dynamic Head (TDH) which is the sum of static head of 2- Convert the daily radiation data (GHI, DNI and DHI)
water in the well, discharge head, drawdown head, to tilted global irradiance Gt at chosen tilt angle
discharge pressure and friction losses in pipeline. The using Eqn. 1.
following formula has been used for sizing the motor- 3- Calculate the operation period of pump using the
pump system: given data of (daily demand of water and rate of
charge of selected pump)
4- Determine the starting value of global tilted
(9) irradiance; Gt on the new curve of step 2 by
projecting the operation period on the global tilted
Where ρ is the density of water (1.0 kg/L), g is the irradiance curve.
gravity acceleration (m/sec2), Q is discharge rate (m3/h), 5- Calculate the total area of PV array required for
H is the total dynamic head (m), ηm is the motor driving the pump using Eqns. 13-15
efficiency and ηp is the pump efficiency. 6- Calculate the number of PV modules by dividing the
total area of PV array by the area of the selected PV
3.3 Sizing of the PV array module
The PV-array sizing could be done by matching the
instantaneous power needed by the motor-pump system
with the output instantaneous power of PV array which 4 CASE STUDY
mainly depends on the incident global solar radiation on
the tilted surface of PV array. To prove the validity of the proposed method, a case
study for Buraydah city in the middle of Saudi Arabia has
The instantaneous output power of PV array is given by: been chosen for applying the design algorithm of the
proposed method. Tables 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the required
(10) input data of water pumping system, components of
electrical system and metrological data of chosen site
Where Gt is the instantaneous global solar radiation (26.34o N, 43.76o E) respectively, while Figure 2. Shows
(w/m2) on the tilted surface of PV array, Apv is the area of the instantaneous solar radiation of GHI, DNI and DHI
the PV array (m2), ηpv is the efficiency of PV array under during one sunny day (20 December 2014) of chosen site.
operating condition, λm and λc are miscellaneous losses of
PV array and power conditioning losses respectively. Table 1: Data of water pumping system
Daily demand 200 m3 TDH 176 m
By connecting motor-pump system to PV array through Pump type Multi-stage, submersible Motor efficiency 85 %
inverter, Eqns. 9 and 10 could be equalized as follows: Pump model Grandfous (150S400-18) Motor output power 30 kW
Pump efficiency 70.6 % Rated Voltage 3x380 V
Pump rated head 195 m Rated current 66.5 A
Pump rated flow 36 m3/hour Starting current 300 A
Pump speed 3450 rpm Frequency 50 Hz
(11) Motor model MS6000QFT40 Power factor 0.87

(12) Table 2: Electrical system specifications

SunPower Mono-
PV module PV module type
(SPR-210-BLK) Crystalline
Then the size of PV array needed for water pumping Peak power 210 W Temp. Coefficient 0.38 %
Rated Voltage 40.0 V Open Circuit Voltage 47.7 V
system could be obtained as follows: Rated Current 5.25 A Short Circuit Current 5.75 A
Efficiency 16.9 % Dimensions 156 x 80 cm
Misc. losses 2.0 % conditioning losses 1.5 %
o
NOCT 45 C Inverter Efficiency 97.5 %
(13) * Electrical data of PV module measured at STC
(GHI: 1000 w/m2, air mass: 1.5 g, Cell Temp.: 25 oC)

Where ηinv is efficiency of inverter and ηpv could be Table 3: Monthly average of mean daily weather data
obtained as follows: Month Ambient GHI Atm. Wind Clearness
Temp. Pressure speed Index (K)
°C kWh/m²/d kPa m/s
(14) January 14.2 4.30 94.2 2.4 0.66
February 17.0 5.43 93.9 2.6 0.65
March 21.9 6.07 93.7 2.5 0.58
Where ηr is the PV module efficiency at reference April 28.2 5.95 93.7 2.9 0.61
temperature (Tr = 25°C), and αp is the temperature May
June
31.9
34.3
7.03
8.18
93.5
93.1
2.7
2.7
0.64
0.72
coefficient for module efficiency. Tc is cell temperature and July 36.2 8.16 92.9 2.6 0.75
August 36.5 7.54 93.0 2.5 0.71
related to the mean ambient temperature Ta as follows: September 33.7 6.70 93.4 2.4 0.69
October 28.0 5.67 93.8 2.7 0.66
November 20.2 4.46 94.0 2.5 0.62
(15) December 15.8 4.03 94.3 2.4 0.60
Annual 26.5 6.13 93.6 2.6 0.66
Applying the design algorithm:

Step 1: The chosen sunny day is (20 December 2014),

and its solar radiation data are shown in Figure 2.
Step 2: The tilted global irradiance Gt has been calculated
using Eqns. 1-8 for 2 cases:
a) A fixed tilt angle = 41.3o (location latitude +15o),
and south facing.
b) A full sun-tracking system.
Figure 3 shows the calculated tilted global
irradiance curves Gt for the two cases.
Step 3: from the rate of charge of selected pump and the
daily demand of water (Table: 1), the operation
time has been calculated (5.55 hours).
Step 4: The starting values of global irradiance Gt
required for pumping the daily demand for both
Fig. 4: Starting Values of global irradiance and operation
cases is 655 W/m2 for case (a) and 810 W/m2 for
time of pump for both tilted and full tracking surfaces
case (b) as shown in Figure 4.
Step 5: The total area of PV array required for driving the
Table 4: Summery of sizing results
pump has been calculated using Eqns. 13-15, found
case (a) case (b)
to be 290.7 m2 for case (a), and 235 m2 for case (b).
Charge rate 36 m3/hour 36 m3/hour
Step 6: Number of PV modules has been calculated by Operation time 5.55 hours 5.55 hours
dividing the total area of PV array by the area of Value of Gt at starting 655 w/m2 810 w/m2
selected PV module (SPR-210-BLK), and they are Area of PV array 290.7 m2 235 m2
227 for case (a) and 184 for case (b). No. of PV modules 227 184

These are the minimum number of selected PV The configuration of PV array (i.e. connection of
module (SPR-210-BLK) that guarantee the required modules in parallel and series) depends on the
power for pumping the daily demand of water, based on requirements of charger or inverter and the value of
available solar radiation in the region. Table 4 starting current of motor and method of starting used.
summarizes the sizing results for both cases.
It is noticed that there is potential solar energy not
harvested yet as indicated by regions A, B and C in
Figure 5, this potential solar energy may be harvested by
adding battery bank to the system, the stored energy may
be used in the next day for contribution in the starting
current of motor or may be used to extend the operation
period if needed or may be used during cloudy periods.

Fig. 2: GHI, DNI and DHI of one sunny for Buraydah

City on day December 20, 2014

Fig. 5: The consumed and potential energy in full

tracking case

5 CONCLUSION

A novel approach for sizing the PV array of water

pumping systems has been proposed. This approach uses
the solar radiation data (DNI, GHI, DHI) of the shortest
Fig. 3: Converted solar irradiance curves for tilted sunny day over the year as a base for sizing the PV array.
surface and dual axis tracking The approach has been applied on a real case from
Buraydah City in the middle of Saudi Arabia through
following a simple algorithm. The results showed that a [14] Kenna, J., Gillett, B. Solar Water Pumping. A
30 kW pump required to deliver a 200 m3 of water daily Handbook. Intermediate Technology Publications,
from a well of a 176 m depth , may be driven by a PV London, 1985.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT [17] Burkhartzmeyer, B. Solar Water Pumping Project,
Ghana. Joint Project of World Vision and Always On
The author would like to express the sincere Solar Project, October 2008. Available on-line at
appreciation to the staff of King Abdullah City for <http://www.sunepi.org/SunEPI/
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