AgroSolar irrigation system

Product Description

AgroSolar is an irrigation system for smallholder farmers that uses solar power to pump up to 2500 L of water from a source up to 70 m deep and irrigate using an add-on drip irrigation system. Excess energy from the solar panel can be used to power lights, phones, or televisions. This product has been discontinued and was replaced by SunCulture’s RainMaker 2 in 2019.

Market Suggested Retail Price

$2,401.16

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Sunculture

Manufacturing/Building Method

The product was made-to-order according to farm size and layout.

Intellectural Property Type

Trade Secret

User Provision Model

Users can purchase the product directly from SunCulture.

Distributions to Date Status

SunCulture has sold over 450 AgroSolar Irrigation kits since 2012 field trials.

Design Specifications

The complete kit has solar panels that power a submersible direct current (DC) solar pump which fills a water tank. A control valve allows farmers to use the stored water, which passes through a filter and is delivered to the crop root zones via drip irrigation tape. The kit includes PVC (polyvinyl chloride) layflat pipes and all required connectors, fittings, and valves for the irrigation system and the solar panels, 12 foot security stand for solar panels, electrical cable and HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) pipe for the solar pump system.

Technical Support

The manufacturer can provide installation and training for an additional cost, as well as technical support.

Replacement Components

Unknown

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The product was designed to allow farmers to grow higher quality crops and increase yields by 300% or more. Note that prices on the image are in KES.

Produce	Yield Per Acre (KGs)	Maturity	Price Per KG (WholeSale)	Revenue Per Season
Beans	500	90 days	60	30,000
Kale	8,000	60 days	15	1,20,000
Cabbage	20,000	75 days	15	3,00,000
Carrots	2,20,000	85-125 days	15	3,30,000
Green Capsicum	10,000	90 days	60	6,00,000
Tomato	20,000	75 days	30	6,00,000
Onion	12,000	90 days	50	6,00,000
Red Capsicum	10,000	90 days	80	8,00,000

[caption id="attachment_23803" align="alignnone" width="300"]

Revenue per crop[/caption]

Vetted Performance Status

Unknown

Safety

No known safety hazards are related to this product.

Complementary Technical Systems

The SunCulture Drip Irrigation Kit was a drip irrigation add-on for this product available for purchase from SunCulture. By visiting the farm, irrigation engineers can provide a survey and soil report, with an additional cost ranging from 24.20 to 43.56 USD. Installation and training are also available at additional cost.

Academic Research and References

Merrey, D. J. and Langan, S., 2014, Review Paper on ‘Garden Kits’ in Africa: Lessons Learned and the Potential of Improved Water Management, IWMI Working Paper No. 162.

Michaelowa, A., Köhler, M., Friedmann, V., Tkacik, J., and Dransfeld, B., 2016, IMPAQT Case Study.

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Other Information

Youtube video of Agrosolar Irrigation System