What This Solar Power Calculator Does
This Solar Power Calculator for Agriculture helps farmers estimate the solar system size required to run irrigation pumps and other basic farm electricity needs using solar energy. It is designed for farmers who want to reduce diesel and electricity bills and move toward clean, renewable energy.
By entering simple details such as pump capacity, pump type, working hours, pumping head, farm area, and location, this tool calculates:
- Your daily energy requirement
- The approximate solar plant size needed
- The number of solar panels required
- A suggested system size with a safety margin
This calculator is useful for planning solar irrigation systems, solar pumps, and small farm solar power plants before you talk to a supplier or installer.
Why Solar Power Is Important for Farmers
Around the world, farmers are facing:
- Rising diesel prices
- Increasing electricity bills
- Unreliable power supply in rural areas
Solar energy offers a practical solution because it:
- Reduces running costs of irrigation
- Provides reliable daytime power
- Lowers dependence on diesel and grid electricity
- Supports sustainable and environment-friendly farming
However, installing a solar system without proper calculation can lead to under-sizing (not enough power) or over-sizing (unnecessary extra cost). This calculator helps you make a balanced and informed estimate.
What Information This Calculator Uses
To give you a practical estimate, the calculator asks for:
Pump and Usage Details
- Pump Capacity (HP): For example, 3 HP, 5 HP, or 7.5 HP
- Pump Type: DC pump or AC pump (DC pumps are usually more efficient)
- Working Hours per Day: Typically 5 to 7 hours of strong sunlight
- Dynamic Head: From how many feet the water is pumped
Farm and Location Details
- Farm Area: In hectare, acre, or square meter
- Location / Sunlight Level: Because sunlight intensity (solar irradiance) changes from region to region
- Purpose of Electricity: Only irrigation, or irrigation plus lighting and other farm uses
Using this information, the calculator estimates your energy need and solar system size.
Key Features of This Solar Calculator
- Works for different pump sizes and types (AC or DC)
- Considers working hours and pumping head
- Adjusts calculation based on sunlight availability of your location
- Supports different land area units
- Estimates daily energy requirement in kWh
- Calculates required solar plant size in kW
- Shows approximate number of solar panels needed
- Provides a suggested system size with safety margin
- Simple, practical, and farmer-friendly
How to Use the Calculator
- Select your pump capacity in HP.
- Choose whether your pump is DC or AC.
- Enter the number of hours you plan to run the pump each day.
- Enter the dynamic head (pumping height in feet).
- Enter your farm area and select the area unit.
- Select your location based on sunlight level.
- Choose the purpose of electricity use.
- Click Calculate Solar Requirement to see the results.
For best planning, try to enter realistic values based on your actual pump and field conditions.
Solar Power Calculator for Agriculture
This calculator helps farmers estimate the solar panel system size required for running irrigation pumps or farm electricity needs using solar energy. It is useful for planning solar pumps, solar irrigation systems, and small farm solar power setups.
1) Pump & Usage Details
2) Farm & Location Details
How to Read the Results
The results section shows you:
- Daily Energy Required: How much electricity your pump and farm use in one day (in kWh)
- Required Solar Plant Size: The approximate size of solar system needed (in kW)
- Number of Solar Panels: An estimate based on standard 550W panels
- Suggested System Size: A slightly higher size to cover losses and ensure reliable performance
These values help you understand the scale of solar system you should plan for.
Practical Tips Before Installing a Solar System
- Always consider future expansion (bigger pump or more usage later)
- Check the quality and efficiency of the pump and panels
- Make sure there is no shadow on the panels during peak sunlight hours
- Compare prices and service from different solar suppliers
- Ask about government subsidies or support schemes in your country or region
Important Notes
- Actual performance depends on weather, panel quality, installation angle, and system losses.
- This calculator gives an estimate, not an exact engineering design.
- Final system size should be confirmed by a qualified solar installer or engineer.
- Solar irradiance varies by season and location, so real-world results may differ slightly.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides approximate estimates for educational and planning purposes only. It does not guarantee system performance, energy production, or cost savings. Actual results may vary due to site conditions, equipment quality, weather, and installation design. Always consult a professional solar installer or technical expert before making a final investment decision.