Beijing – The use of solar-powered water pumps is rapidly expanding across China and globally, driven by falling costs and increased demand for clean water access. According to a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), solar pump installations grew by 25% annually from 2014-2019, with countries like China, India and Kenya leading the growth.
In China, over 300,000 solar water pumps have been installed, particularly in rural areas. Agricultural uses like crop irrigation make up the bulk of solar pump applications in the country. Chinese solar pump companies like Lorentz and SunCulture have seized on the enormous market potential as the government aims to expand rural clean energy access.
Globally, solar pumps are gaining share over diesel-powered pumps due to lower operating costs. IRENA estimates the lifetime costs of solar pumps can be one-third that of diesel pumps. Moreover, solar pumps provide energy access to remote areas beyond the reach of electric grids. According to IRENA Director Francesco La Camera, solar water solutions are “improving livelihoods and helping meet the Sustainable Development Goals.”
While upfront costs of purchasing solar pump systems remain relatively high, innovative financing models are removing barriers to adoption. Pay-as-you-go schemes allow farmers to pay over time as their income rises. Companies like SunCulture offer innovative leasing models to rural customers. Such flexible payment options coupled with increased manufacturing scale suggest the solar pumping market will continue surging worldwide.
