Solar Energy Drip Irrigation System for Sugarcane Plantation

Authors

  • Pongsak Chontanaswat Farm Mechanics Department, Faculty of Agriculture at KamphaengSaen Kasetsart University, KamphaengSaen Campus
  • Somphinith Muangthong Survey Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan
  • Chuti Moungprasert Farm Mechanics Department, Faculty of Agriculture at KamphaengSaen Kasetsart University, KamphaengSaen Campus
  • Vitawas Yomchinda Farm Mechanics Department, Faculty of Agriculture at KamphaengSaen Kasetsart University, KamphaengSaen Campus

Keywords:

crop irrigation, drip irrigation, solar energy, solar cell, sugarcane

Abstract

The objectives of research were designing and testing a suitable set of drip irrigation powered by solar cell for sugarcane plantation where rainfed dry and no electricity area. This design based on 1.5 m row width and 40 m length of drip tape in which drip tape laid on soil surface and movable. The irrigation set consisted of 1 m3 fillable water tank (1 m above land surface) and 12 V  DC, 72 Ah water pump which  maximum head and flow rate of 2.8 bar and 1.02 m3/hr respectively. The solar system consisted of a crystalline solar cell with maximum power 120 Wp ±3%, 18.0 V, 6.67 A, and 12V, 75 Ah battery accompanied with inverter. The 1” PVC pipe was used for main and 5 of 0.2 m spacing drip tapes were installed on main pipe with 1.5 m row space. The whole designed irrigation system covered 300 m3 . Tested result revealed the average, minimum and maximum drip flow rate were 0.82, 0.63 and 0.98 L/h respectively. The difference between maximum and minimum dripper flow rate was 35.85%. The emission uniformity (EU) was  76.83% and precipitation rate of was 2.73 mm/h. The total water flow rate was  820.00 L/h. The investment was 4,990.00 THB in which the cost of drip irrigation set, solar cell set and installation labor were 540, 4,350 and 100 THB respectively

References

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Published

2022-06-29

Issue

Section

Research article Academic article and Review article