How does a solar irrigation pump work without batteries?

Most solar irrigation pumps run directly from the panels. The pump controller adjusts the motor speed to the power available, so the pump runs slowly in the morning, at full speed around midday and slows again in the afternoon. Instead of storing electricity in batteries, farmers store water, for example in a raised tank or pond, if they need it after sunset.

Should I choose a surface pump or a submersible pump?

A surface pump sits on the ground and suits water from ponds, canals or shallow wells where the water level is only a few metres below the pump. A submersible pump is lowered into a tube well and pushes water up from deeper levels. Where the dry-season water table falls too low for suction, a submersible pump is needed.

What size solar pump do I need for my land?

Size depends on the daily water requirement of your crops, the area irrigated, the total head (the vertical lift plus pipe friction losses) and the average sunshine hours in the driest irrigation month. Boro rice needs much more water than most vegetables. We calculate the pump and array size from these inputs after a site visit.

Is a solar irrigation pump cheaper than a diesel pump?

A solar pump usually costs more to buy than a diesel pump of similar output, but it uses no fuel and needs far less maintenance. Over several seasons, the saving on diesel, oil and repairs often outweighs the higher purchase cost. The balance depends on how many days a year you irrigate and on fuel prices.

Is there support for solar irrigation in Bangladesh?

Government and development programmes have supported solar irrigation in Bangladesh, including financing through IDCOL and other agencies working with farmers and service providers. Terms, eligibility and availability change over time, so check the current position with the programme directly. We can design and supply a system that meets a programme's technical requirements.

How long does a solar irrigation pump system last?

Solar panels typically have the longest life in the system, while controllers and pumps may need repair or replacement earlier, depending on water quality, sand in the water and how well the system is maintained. Keeping the panels clean, protecting the controller from heat and moisture and checking the pump regularly all extend its working life.

Solar Irrigation Pump System in Bangladesh

A solar irrigation pump system in Bangladesh uses solar panels to power a water pump through a pump controller, lifting groundwater or surface water for crops without diesel or a grid connection. It pumps whenever the sun shines, so it has almost no fuel cost and suits Boro rice, vegetables and other irrigated crops.

Last updated: 7 October 2026Part of: Solar systems

TOTO POWER Engineering designs, supplies and installs solar irrigation pump systems in Bangladesh for farmers, agricultural businesses, cooperatives and estates. Irrigation is essential for the Boro season, when rain is scarce and crops depend on groundwater or surface water. Diesel pumps bring fuel costs and supply worries, and grid connections are often unavailable or unreliable in the field. A solar irrigation pump (often called a SIP) uses free sunlight instead, which fits the season well: the dry months that need the most water are also the sunniest.

Solar irrigation pump system in Bangladesh with solar panels powering a water pump in a crop field

What is a solar irrigation pump system?

A solar irrigation pump system is a water pumping installation powered by a photovoltaic (PV) array. The panels generate electricity, a pump controller or solar pump inverter converts and regulates that power, and a motor-driven pump lifts water from a tube well, pond, river or canal into the field's distribution channels or pipes. Unlike a diesel pump, it needs no fuel. Unlike a grid pump, it needs no electricity connection, so it can be installed wherever there is sunshine and water.

How does a solar irrigation pump work?

The PV array

The solar modules are mounted on a fixed frame facing south, in an open place with no shade across the panels. Some systems use manual seasonal tilt adjustment or trackers to collect more energy. The array is sized to produce enough power for the pump on an average day in the driest irrigation month.

The pump controller or VFD

The controller is the brain of the system. For AC pumps it is a solar pump inverter, a variable frequency drive (VFD) adapted for solar input, which converts DC power from the panels to AC and varies the motor speed as sunlight changes. It tracks the maximum power point of the array, soft-starts the motor and protects it against dry running, overload and over-voltage. For DC pumps, a DC controller performs the same role.

Surface and submersible pumps

Surface pumps, usually centrifugal pump sets placed on the ground, draw water from ponds, canals, rivers or shallow wells. Floating pump sets are also used on ponds and rivers where the water level changes. Submersible pumps are lowered into a tube well and push water up from deeper aquifers. The choice depends mainly on where the water comes from and how far below ground it lies in the dry season. If you need a new well, see our deep tube well service.

Pipework and storage

Delivery pipes, valves and, where needed, a storage tank or reservoir complete the system. Because most solar pumps run without batteries, storing water rather than electricity is the usual way to irrigate after sunset.

How is a solar irrigation pump sized?

Correct sizing is the most important part of the design. An undersized system cannot keep the crop watered in the hottest weeks; an oversized one wastes money. We size the system from four inputs:

Daily water need, based on the crop, the irrigated area and the irrigation method. Flooded paddy needs far more water than vegetables under drip or furrow irrigation.
Total dynamic head, which is the vertical distance from the water level to the discharge point plus the friction losses in the pipes. The dry-season water level, not the monsoon level, sets the design.
Sunshine hours in the design month, which determine how many hours a day the pump can deliver its flow.
Water source capacity, so the pump does not draw a well down faster than it recharges.

From these, we select a pump that delivers the required flow at the design head, then size the PV array and controller to drive it.

Solar, diesel and grid irrigation pumps compared

Factor	Solar pump	Diesel pump	Grid electric pump
Fuel or energy cost	Almost none	High and varies with fuel price	Moderate, billed by the utility
Purchase cost	Higher	Lower	Lower, plus connection cost
Availability	Daylight hours; less on cloudy days	Any time, if fuel is available	Only when the grid supply is on
Maintenance	Low: panel cleaning and periodic checks	High: oil, filters and engine repairs	Low to moderate
Location	Anywhere with sun and water	Anywhere fuel can be delivered	Only near a grid line
Emissions and noise	None during operation	Exhaust fumes and engine noise	None on site

Who needs a solar irrigation pump system?

Farmers and groups of farmers who currently rely on diesel pumps for Boro irrigation
Irrigation service providers who sell water to neighbouring farmers
Agricultural estates, nurseries, fish farms and dairy farms
Fields far from a reliable grid connection
Rural institutions that also need water for drinking or livestock

How is a solar irrigation pump installed?

Site visit. We check the water source, water level, field layout, shade and a safe, secure place for the array.
Water and head assessment. We estimate the daily water need and measure or estimate the total head, including the dry-season water level.
System design. We select the pump, controller and array, and design the mounting structure, cabling and pipework.
Supply and foundations. Equipment is delivered, and foundations for the array frame are cast where needed.
Installation. The array, controller, pump, earthing and delivery pipes are installed. For submersible pumps, the pump and cable are lowered into the well.
Testing and commissioning. We check array voltage and current, controller settings and protections, then measure flow and head against the design.
Training and handover. The operator learns daily checks, cleaning and what the controller's fault indications mean.

For conventional grid or generator-driven pumps, or replacement motors, see our pump and motor supply and installation service.

How should a solar irrigation pump be maintained?

A solar pump is easy to operate and maintain, but it is not maintenance-free. Clean the panels regularly, because dust and bird droppings reduce output; in the dry Boro season this may be needed every week or two. Keep grass and crops from shading the array. Check that the frame bolts are tight and the cables are protected from animals and farm machinery. Keep the controller dry, shaded and ventilated. Watch for a drop in flow, which can mean a clogged intake, a worn impeller or a falling water level. Before the monsoon, check the earthing and the drainage around the array foundation.

What you receive

Site assessment with water source, water level and head data
Sizing calculation for pump, controller and PV array
Layout of array, pump, cabling and pipework
Supplied, installed and commissioned system with flow test results
Equipment data sheets and warranty documents
Operator training and a simple maintenance checklist

What does a solar irrigation pump cost in Bangladesh?

The main cost factors are the pump power and type (surface or submersible), the array size, the total head and daily water volume, whether a new tube well or storage tank is needed, the length of pipework, the mounting structure and any security fencing for the panels. Systems built to meet a financing programme's specification may have additional requirements. We visit the site, calculate the size and send a written quotation.

Which standards apply?

The electrical side of the system, including cabling, protection and earthing, follows good practice for low-voltage installations such as IEC 60364, and earthing should be verified by measurement. Where a financing or development programme is involved, it may set its own technical specification for modules, controllers and pumps, and we design to that specification when required.

Why choose TOTO POWER Engineering?

We approach solar irrigation as an engineering problem, not just a product sale: the pump must match the water source, the head and the crop, or the farmer pays for a system that cannot keep up in the driest weeks. Our engineers work across solar, electrical and pump systems, and we have completed more than 500 engineering projects in Bangladesh. We support our customers after installation with technical advice and maintenance. For other solar options, visit our solar systems page or read about solar mini-grids.