Lower exposure to recurring energy costs
Where a site currently relies on fuel or costly electricity, solar generation may reduce operating expenditure. Actual savings depend on the baseline energy source, system size, usage pattern and maintenance.
Service Overview
Solar Water Pumping: a practical guide for Kenyan projects
A properly designed solar water system converts available sunlight into pumping energy and delivers water to a point of use or storage. Its performance varies through the day and across seasons, so storage is often part of the design. For a borehole, pump selection must account for the tested yield and water level as well as elevation, pipe losses and required flow. For surface water, the intake and operating conditions also shape equipment choice.
System sizing starts with measured or estimated demand, operating hours and site conditions. A design should explain expected daily delivery, power assumptions, protection measures, controller compatibility and maintenance requirements. Hybrid arrangements can be considered where water must be available outside solar hours or where an existing electrical supply is part of the plan. Recommendations should be based on the client’s priorities, not only the lowest equipment price.
Benefits
What a well-planned solar water pumping project can deliver
Useful in remote locations
A solar pumping system can serve sites where grid access is limited, provided the water source, sunlight, security and storage plan are suitable.
A pump matched to the water source
Using borehole test results and calculated pumping head helps avoid oversizing or under-sizing. The system is designed for a realistic delivery target rather than a panel count alone.
Water available when it is needed
Storage can shift pumping to daylight hours while supporting demand later. Tank volume, delivery schedule and demand profile should be designed together.
Our Process
From first assessment to handover
Assess demand and source
We confirm water use, daily volume, borehole test information or surface-source conditions, and the location where water needs to be delivered.
Calculate system duty
The technical design considers total dynamic head, flow, pipe route, sunlight, operating schedule and required storage.
Select and install components
Pump, controller, array, mounting, protection, cabling and storage are selected for compatibility and installed to the agreed scope.
Commission and hand over
The system is checked under operating conditions. The client receives operating guidance, maintenance recommendations and key system information.
Equipment & Technical Scope
Equipment selected for the site and the job
Typical components include a solar submersible or surface pump, photovoltaic modules, mounting structure, a compatible controller or inverter, cables, isolators and electrical protection. The equipment schedule should identify ratings and compatibility rather than listing generic product categories. Water-level and flow measurements help confirm whether the selected pump is operating within the intended duty.
Storage tanks, float switches, dry-run protection, control panels and hybrid power options may be included where appropriate. Array mounting must consider wind exposure, shading, security and maintenance access. Good installation practice includes protected cable routes, earthing and safe isolation. The final configuration depends on the site survey and the client’s priorities for cost, reliability and delivery schedule.
Planning Advice
Key sizing decisions for a solar borehole pump
Begin with a credible water demand estimate. A household, school, livestock operation and irrigated farm have different daily patterns. Record peak demand as well as total volume; sizing only for an average can leave the system unable to serve concentrated demand. Consider future phases separately so capacity is not added without a plan.
Next, establish pumping head. This includes the dynamic water level, elevation to the tank or point of use, and friction losses through the pipework. Borehole yield and drawdown should be taken from a suitable pump test. A solar system cannot compensate for a pump that draws water faster than the source can sustainably supply.
Finally, decide how much water must be available after sunlight hours and during poor weather. Storage, hybrid power or an alternative operating schedule may help. Compare proposals using daily delivery assumptions, component warranties, protection, installation scope and after-sales support. Ask for commissioning records and a simple maintenance plan.
Technical Considerations
Important decisions for a successful project
Specify the operating duty
Record the desired daily volume, delivery window, destination and any peak demand. A school may require predictable morning and afternoon availability, while a farm may operate selected irrigation zones over several daylight hours. Define the required flow at the delivery point, not only the total daily volume. These details let the designer compare pump options and identify whether storage, staggered operation or a hybrid arrangement is needed.
Use borehole test data
For a borehole installation, obtain construction details and test-pumping observations before finalizing the pump. Static and pumping water levels, tested discharge and recovery response inform pump setting and operating limits. Installing a pump that draws down the borehole too aggressively can cause interruptions or damage. If the borehole has no reliable test report, make the assessment and test plan part of the system scope.
Account for seasonal solar conditions
Solar production changes with season, cloud cover, shading, panel orientation and local conditions. A system estimate should state its assumptions and explain how delivery may vary across the year. The array must be mounted clear of shading and accessible for inspection. Do not use a peak-sun-hour estimate without checking how it relates to the required water volume and the pump’s operating curve.
Plan safe electrical installation
Panels, controllers, cables and pumps must be compatible and protected for their operating environment. Installation planning should consider cable sizing, isolators, earthing, surge protection, secure mounting and safe access for maintenance. Keep wiring routes protected from vehicles, livestock and weather exposure. The client should receive operating instructions and know how to isolate the system safely before inspection or service.
Compare lifecycle cost, not panel price
A complete comparison includes pump, array, mounting, controller, storage, cabling, protection, installation, warranty and service access. Ask what consumables or replacement parts are expected and how quickly local support is available. A lower initial price may not provide the same daily volume, protection or maintainability. Include the cost of storage and any backup energy when comparing solar with grid or fuel alternatives.
Relevant Experience
Portfolio reference: agricultural and institutional water needs
Milimani lists agricultural clients including Sigma Feeds Supplies Ltd and institutional clients including East University Kitengela in its project and clientele portfolio. These sectors can have very different daily demand, operating hours and storage requirements, which is why solar system design must begin with the end use.
No public portfolio figure establishes a specific solar output or energy saving for those clients. For a new site, request a design based on actual source data, demand, head and local conditions, with delivery assumptions recorded in the proposal.
Explore projects and client sectorsClient Feedback
A reliable process matters
“Their engineering advice and transparent communication helped us choose the right setup. The installation was efficient and the water quality is consistently good.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about solar water pumping
Can solar pump a deep borehole?
Solar pumps can be used for boreholes when the pump duty, borehole yield, dynamic level, total head and array are correctly matched. Depth alone does not determine feasibility. A borehole test and system calculation are needed before selecting equipment.
How much water will a solar pump deliver per day?
Daily delivery depends on solar resource, array size, pump curve, head, water level, pipework and operating conditions. Ask for a calculated delivery estimate with its assumptions and seasonal limitations. Avoid comparing systems only by panel wattage or pump horsepower.
Will water be available at night?
Pumping generally follows available solar energy, while storage can provide water after daylight. A hybrid system or alternative energy supply may also be considered where continuous pumping is required. The right option depends on demand timing and the economics of storage.
Can a solar pump run irrigation?
Yes, subject to source yield, required flow, irrigation method and operating schedule. Drip, sprinkler and other systems have different pressure and flow requirements. The pump, storage and irrigation network should be designed as one system.
Can solar be added to an existing borehole?
Often, but the existing borehole condition, yield, water level, installed pump, pipework and site layout must be assessed. A pump test or inspection may be required before replacing or converting equipment.
What maintenance does a solar pumping system need?
Maintenance may include cleaning modules, inspecting mounting and cable connections, checking controller alarms, monitoring flow and inspecting the pump and water source. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s guidance and keep service records.
When is a hybrid solar and grid system useful?
A hybrid design may suit sites that need water outside the solar pumping window, have limited storage space or face periods of low solar production. It can combine solar generation with grid or another backup source, but adds equipment and control requirements. Compare the cost of backup energy with the cost of storing additional water and adjusting the pumping schedule. The design should define which source has priority, how switching works and how the system behaves during a power or controller fault.
Plan Your Project
Discuss your water requirements with our team
Tell us your water source, daily demand, delivery height and power situation for a solar pumping assessment.