Solar-Powered Irrigation System for Agricultural Farming in Obour, Egypt

Student Name Student ID

1 Lara Zohiry 201900657
2 Nadim Boulos 201900908
3 Rashad Ahmed 201900040
4 Ahmed Khaled 202000270
5 Omar Kamel 201900494
6 Engy Eltorki 201900657

Project Pv Sizing
DATE: 14 – APRIL- 2024
SOLAR ENERGY& ELECTRICITY STORAGE (ENGN-3460)
Abstract
With the fast-expanding trend of global population growth, which is expected to reach more than
9 billion by 2050, the burden on the agriculture sector has significantly intensified. At the same
time, concerns about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the depletion of fossil fuels are
bringing an end to traditional agricultural techniques. With the introduction of renewable
technology, the agriculture industry hopes to feed the rising population in a more sustainable
manner. Among all renewable energy sources, solar energy is one of the most suitable to
agricultural uses. Photovoltaic (PV) technology has been used over the years to provide
electricity for many agricultural applications, including water pumping and irrigation. Our design
proposes a project that will be implemented away from power stations excluding the hassle of
long cables and work force and a less dense population area to start growing crops away from the
usual areas in Egypt (desert like).
Table of Contents
Abstract..................................................................................................................................2
Introduction............................................................................................................................4
Problem Statement.................................................................................................................4
Load Estimation......................................................................................................................4
Site and Location Analysis.......................................................................................................4
System Components................................................................................................................4
Losses& Shading Estimation....................................................................................................4
Sizing Results..........................................................................................................................4
Cost analysis...........................................................................................................................4
Conclusion...............................................................................................................................4
Recommendation& Future improvements...............................................................................4
References..............................................................................................................................4
Introduction
Photovoltaic (PV) systems utilize sunlight to generate electricity, providing a clean and
renewable energy source for homes and businesses. The systems are easy to expand and
environmentally friendly, making them a popular choice for a variety of applications. The history
of PV systems dates back to when French physicist Alexandre Edmond, in 1839, discovered that
when some materials were exposed to sunlight, they created electric charges. This finding
established the groundwork for future research into solar energy. After some time, an American
inventor, Charles Fritts, constructed the first functioning solar cell in 1883 with selenium-coated
semiconductor plates. Fritt's device was inefficient but was the first practical example of a PV
system. It had a conversion efficiency of roughly 1%, which was much lower than contemporary
PV technology [1]. After approximately 100 years, The first practical photovoltaic cell was
developed in 1954 at Bell Laboratories by Daryl Chaplin, Gerald Pearson, and Calvin Souther
Fuller [2]. PV systems can be separated into two types: off-grid and stand-alone systems.
Off-grid PV systems operate independently of the standard power grid, supplying electricity to
places without access to centralized power infrastructure. These systems are typically utilized in
isolated locations, including cottages, yachts, or off-grid houses. Off-grid PV systems generally
consist of solar panels, batteries for energy storage that store chemical energy for use during the
night or when additional power is needed, and inverters that convert DC power into usable AC
electricity. This AC is used to power electrical devices. The advantages of off-grid PV systems
are that they have energy independence, give access to energy in remote locations, are
sustainable and environmentally friendly, and operate at a low cost [3].
Stand-alone PV systems are linked to the grid but may function independently in the case of a
power loss. These systems are often ideal for isolated rural locations and applications where
alternative power sources are either hard or unavailable to supply power for lights, appliances,
and other purposes. In many circumstances, installing a single stand-alone PV system is less
expensive than having the local energy provider build power lines and cables directly to the
residence as part of a grid-connected PV system, making it more environmentally friendly.
Stand-alone PV systems are made up of solar panels, inverters, and occasionally energy storage
options such as batteries that store excess energy for later use or during peak demand times [4].

Study of system shading

Many things can cause shading, such as trees, buildings, chimneys, poles, wires, clouds, etc.
Shading can be categorized into three types: hard shading, soft shading, and partial shading.
Hard shading occurs when an object completely blocks sunlight from reaching the solar panel.
Soft shading occurs when an object partially or diffusely blocks sunlight from reaching the solar
panel. Partial shading occurs when only a portion of the solar panel is shaded while the rest
receives sunlight. When shading occurs in solar PV systems, it can cause several negative
impacts and impair performance. Shading can decrease the current and power output not only of
the shaded module but also of the entire string or array it is part of.[5]
Additionally, shading can increase the temperature and resistance of the affected module, leading
to issues such as hot spots and damage. Moreover, shading can result in mismatch losses, which
occur when the current and voltage characteristics of modules in a string or array are disrupted
by shading. These mismatch losses can decrease the efficiency and lifespan of a solar PV system.
That is why the study of shading is essential.[5] Shading analysis identifies, quantifies, and
assesses shading sources and their effects on a solar PV system. Shading analysis can aid in
optimizing the solar PV system's site selection, orientation, tilt, layout, and wiring. Shading
analysis can also assist in selecting the appropriate components, such as modules, inverters,
bypass diodes, and optimizers, to reduce shading losses.[5] Shading analysis can be performed
using a variety of methods and tools, including conducting shading analysis at different times of
the day, month, and year to capture seasonal and diurnal variations, site surveys, sun path
diagrams, solar access and exposure calculations, shade maps, 3D modeling, and simulation
software. All these results are compared and validated to reduce the shading effect as much as
possible. The process of reducing shading sources on the solar PV system is called Shading
mitigation. Shading mitigation helps improve the solar PV system's reliability, safety, and
performance; this can be done by removing the objects that cause the shade. Increase the distance
between the modules, adjust the modules' orientation or tilt, change the module's layout or
configuration, strings, or arrays, add bypass diodes or optimizers to the modules, or use
microinverters or DC/DC converters.[5] Some standards must be followed, and guidelines are
recommended depending on the PV system's location, climate, application, and regulation.

Application and purpose of the PV system

The sole purpose of PV systems is to harness solar energy and transform it into electricity,
encouraging energy independence, lowering energy costs, and contributing to a more sustainable
and ecologically friendly energy mix [6]. The applications used in PV systems:
Off-grid Applications [7]:
 Remote cabins
  Street lighting
 Solar pumps
 Water pumping
 Off-grid communities
 Portable power systems for camping or outdoor activities
 Solar home lighting systems
 Remote Research stations
 Telecommunication towers
 Off-grid farming or agricultural operations
 Emergency response operations

Stand-alone Applications [4]:

 Residential buildings connected to the grid
 Sport stadiums
 Agricultural farms and greenhouses
 Electric vehicle charging stations
 Educational institutions
 Hospitals and healthcare facilities
 Data centers
 Wastewater treatment plants
 Renewable energy projects and power plants
 Industrial facilities
 Shopping centers
 Hotels, resorts, and hospitality establishments
 Military bases and installations
Problem Statement

Although photovoltaic (PV) systems are increasingly demanded in many applications, accurately
determining of the optimal configuration of PV arrays and their components remains a challenge.
As a result, insufficient power is generated due to oversized and undersized systems
accomplished by current methods. This problem is further amplified for applications with
specific needs, like remote agricultural irrigation. Conventional irrigation, particularly when
using subsurface water sources, can be costly and unsustainable when using pumps that are
supplied by the grid or generators. Specifically in the case of sustainable irrigation in distant
areas, this project will address such problems in the framework of building a robust approach
that will take into account location-specific characteristics, energy demands, and system
efficiency to maximise energy yield and optimise performance.
Load Estimation

Project operating details:

• Operating Hours: 2 hours per day, one hour in the morning and other in the
afternoon.
• Pump Efficiency: 70%
• Sprinkler Flow Rate: 0.5 liters per second
• Battery Discharge Rate: 0.2C
• Total Irradiance = Average DNI + Average GHI + Diffused = 13.355 KWh/m^2 per
day

Load Analysis and Energy Demand Estimation

1-Pump Load Calculation:
• Pump Power: Assumed at 3.73 kW (5 horsepower).
• Average Head (Vertical Lift): The vertical lift (head) is 20 meters.

To calculate the pump load:

1. Total water requirement: 10 liters per second (L/s)

2. Pump capacity: 2 L/s per pump
Therefore, you would need 10/2 = 5 pumps to meet the water demand.
 2-Sprinkler Load Calculation:
• Each sprinkler covers an area of 100 square meters.
• Your farm spans approximately 40,468.6 square meters.

Let’s calculate the number of sprinklers needed:

1. Area per sprinkler: 100 square meters

2. Number of sprinklers required: 404.686 (rounded up to 405) sprinklers

3-Total Load:

Total load for the irrigation system (including pumps and sprinklers): Approximately
22.62 kW.

Component Specification
Pump Load Calculation

Pump Power 3.73 kW (assumed)

Number of Pumps 5
Total Pump Load 18.65 kW
Sprinkler Load Calculation

Area per Sprinkler 100 square meters

Total Sprinklers Needed 405 (rounded up)

Sprinkler Flow Rate 0.5 L/s per sprinkler

Power per Sprinkler 0.00981 kW

Total Sprinkler Load 3.97405 kW

Total Load 22.62 kW

Reasoning:

The total load of 22.62 KW/day of power needed is based on the fact that the 10 acres land needs
irrigation for 2hrs a day on average. However based on assumptions and research that the
irrigation would need to be increased during the summer months and can be reduced during the
winter month. This can be simply understood by the fact that there is more daylight hours during
the summer months than winter months.

Approximately 41% more daylight in summer than in winter.

 Summer: In June, which represents the peak of summer, daylight hours in Cairo can
stretch up to 14 hours and 10 minutes
(https://www.worlddata.info/africa/egypt/sunset.php).

 Winter: Conversely, December, the heart of winter in Egypt, sees daylight hours shrink
to around 10 hours (https://www.worlddata.info/africa/egypt/sunset.php).

If we assume that the winter months as being the least amount of irrigation needed at 22.62
KW/day.
Months:December, January and February.

We can assume that spring/fall as being the mid amount of irrigation needed at 20% increase for
a total of 27.14 KW/day.

Months: March, April, September, October and November

Finally, we can continue with our reasoning that summer months would have the highest at
another 20% increase of daylight hours for a total load demand for irrigation of 32.6 KW/day.

Months: May, June, July and August

This would give us the load profile.

Site and Location Analysis

The farm is situated in Obour, Egypt. The geographical coordinates of the farm are (30.1938,
31.4601) and it spans across approximately 10 acres (40,468.6 square meters).
System Components

1-System Components:

 Solar Panels

 Inverter and Electrical

Components

 Storage Batteries

 Irrigation Pumps and Distribution

System

2- Pump components
1. Impeller-

A fluid's centrifugal acceleration is provided by the revolving portion of a pump or turbine called
an impeller. An impeller is essentially a circular metallic disc with internal fluid-flowing tubes.
Depending on how they are made and assembled, impellers can be classified as closed, semi-
open, or open varieties.

2. Semi-open impeller-

A semi-open impeller has vanes that are only partially covered by shrouds on the rear. Its
architecture enables it to function at faster rates. However, it's essential to ensure a tolerance of
0.1 mm between the bowls or volute face and the open side of the impeller vanes.
3. Open impeller-

An impeller is said to be open if it has no shrouds on either end. Solids are less likely to clog
open impellers. If blockage does happen, though, they are simple to unclog. As a result, they
work effectively when pumping liquids that contain thick components like sewage water, paper
pulp, or organic waste.

4. Closed impeller

A closed impeller has its vanes encircled by shrouds on all sides. Solids or "stringy materials"
provide a clogging danger to closed impellers. Removing these substances from between the
vanes and shrouds might be difficult. Closed impellers are, therefore, usually used for pumping
transparent fluids, such as pure water.
5. Shaft

During pump starting and operation, the torque from the motor is transferred to the impeller
through the shaft.
6. Eye of impeller
Water from the source enters the impeller's eye when the pump runs. This section is located right
before the impeller vanes at the end of the suction line.

7. Stuffing box

The part of the pump that contains the mechanical seal or packing is called the stuffing box.
Situated behind the impeller, the stuffing box encircles the shaft.

3-Irrigation system

• Water supply- This might be your municipal water supply, well, pump, or another source. This
is required for a sprinkler system to function.

• Valve box- This is the subterranean portion of the irrigation system. It has a green lid, as you've
surely seen previously. It houses and protects the system's control valves.

• Control valves- These regulate the flow of water throughout the system. There are various
functions in different parts of your yard. They're connected to the valve box and a timer.

 Timer- This instructs the valves when to open or close, thus regulating the water flow.
 Sensor- To maximize irrigation schedule and water consumption efficiency, track
environmental parameters, including humidity temperature, soil moisture, and rainfall.

 Filter- removes the dirt and other particles from the water to avoid clogged sprinklers.
 The water pump- This is what transfers the water from the source to the sprinklers. It
ensures

that the water pressure is appropriate.

• Water Metre- This monitors the quantity of water utilized in each zone of your yard. This might
be part of your water utility configuration.

• Backflow preventer- By doing this, water is kept out of your drinking water. When the pressure
in your system is higher than the supply, backflow happens. Backflow protectors stop this from
happening.

• Sprinkler heads- These are the outlets for the water. There are several types of sprinklers. Each
one is designed to suit a different environment and plants.

• Pipes and Risers- Horizontal pipes transport water from the source to the risers, connecting to
the sprinkler heads.
Losses& Shading Estimation
Sizing Results

1-Solar Panel Sizing

Component Specification

Solar Panel Size

Daily Load

Location’s Irradiance

2-Battery Sizing

Component Specification

Battery Size (Ah)

Days Autonomy

3-Inverter Sizing

Component Specification

Inverter Size
Cost analysis
Conclusion
In conclusion our design will be very suitable in Egypt due to its vast areas of desert and the
inability and high costs to reach power stations to operate the pumps to pump the water needed
for the specified agricultural use in the area. The power cuts and shortage of electricity these
days in Egypt and for the upcoming years of natural gas crisis this design will overcome these
difficulties for the agricultural field in Egypt. The cost is relatively cheaper than implementing
the same design in the same location but powered by a power station along with all the
disadvantages that comes with that choice.
Recommendation& Future improvements
References

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