Solar Thermal Pump

Field test of a PRACTICA Solar Thermal Pump. Ten pumps are installed with small-holder farmers in Ziway, Ethiopia. Discharge between 0,13 L/second (14m deep well) to 0,2 L/second (9mm deep well). The parabolic collector is 2m in diameter, with a steam boiler of 1,5L. In a later phase, the pumps should be mass produced to lower the cost price. There is still large thermal energy efficiency potential to gain, which could further lead to increased discharge and/or cost reduction of the pump. Price-wise, the solar thermal pump should be positioned between manual pumps and diesel/fuel pumps, affordable enough for small-holder farmers throughout Africa and Asia so they can increase their growing season, and as a result, their income. Text and video by Martijn Treffers.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Solar energy
• deep well pumps
• development
• solar thermal
• Ethiopia
• PRACTICA