SunCulture Drip Irrigation Kit

Product Description

The SunCulture Drip Irrigation Kit is a low pressure, gravity fed, drip-irrigation system suitable for plots ranging from 1/8 acre to 1 acre in size. Drip irrigation has been proven to help save water, increase crop yields, and decrease weed growth. SunCulture makes fertigation possible by including a fertilizer injection system with each kit. This allows farmers to reduce fertilizer and nutrient losses due to localized application and minimized leaching.

Market Suggested Retail Price

$856.49

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

SunCulture

Manufacturing/Building Method

The product is mass manufactured in the US.

Intellectural Property Type

Trade Secret

User Provision Model

Users can obtain this product directly from SunCulture. SunCulture offers a free quote to farmers who submit their information online, and also have a technician available to visit customer sites that require consultation for a customized system. SunCulture partners with Equity Bank to provide financing options to farmers who cannot afford to pay for the system upfront.

Distributions to Date Status

SunCulture has over 650 customers in East Africa.^{Interview with representative}

Design Specifications

The Product combines a solar pumping technology (solar panels providing pump's electricity directly without need for batteries) with an efficient drip irrigation system. This system includes long lasting drip-tape, a filtration system, fertilizer injection system, HDPE and PVC pipes, and all needed connectors, fittings, and valves. The pump pulls water from different sources (lake, river, stream, well, boreal, water harvester, etc) to a raised storage tank during the day. In the evening a valve is opened and water flows with gravity to irrigate the farm.

Technical Support

SunCulture provides training and after-sales support upon request.

Replacement Components

An entire after sales process is dedicated to supporting customers with needed replacement parts, as well as system repairs if necessary.^{Interview with representative}

Lifecycle

The solar modules comes with a 20 year warranty

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

SunCulture estimates farmers can make up to 4x the revenue with irrigated agriculture compared to traditional agriculture, and 2x the revenue of rain-fed agriculture. See below.

Vetted Performance Status

Unknown.

Safety

No known safety hazards are related to this product.

Complementary Technical Systems

This product was available as an add-on for SunCulture's AgroSolar irrigation system. Another pumping system such as the SP-300 Solar Pumping System can also be used.

Academic Research and References

None.

Compliance with regulations

Unknown.

Other Information

SunCulture has won multiple awards for their systems and work, including: -FT/IF Transformational Business Award 2018 -Ashden International Award, Finalist in 2017 -Start Up Energy Transition Award: Category; “Start Up SDG7”, Finalist in 2017 -Ocean Exchange, The Solutions Awards, Finalist in 2016 -Sustainia Award, Food Innovation Category, Winner in 2015 -Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development, Winner in2015