| dc.description.abstract | The general objective of the study was to analyse technical and economic feasibility of a solar powered irrigation system for small-scale irrigation in Uganda. The study was guided by the following objectives: to examine the technical cost of solar powered irrigation systems, to establish the economic cost of solar powered irrigation systems, and to compare the cost of solar powered irrigation systems with diesel water pumping system for crop irrigation in Uganda.
A case study research design was used. In order to achieve objectives 1 and 2, the study carried out both technical and economic feasibility analysis for the analysis of the pumping systems. This was done to design and successfully implement a solar powered irrigation system for irrigation sites. Objective 3 of the study was achieved through levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for solar and Diesel systems. The irrigation schemes considered in this study have varying levels of water demand (small, medium, and large), and they were used as cases to establish the technical and economic feasibility of solar powered irrigation systems to deliver water at such sites. Results revealed that the upfront cost of the irrigation systems can be reduced by about 1.4%, 8%, and 20% for Kaboko, Nyamugasani and Doho sites respectively. Results of the economic analysis indicate that the cost of water from the solar water pumping system is half of the cost of purchasing water (if these irrigation sites were to procure water from the local water distributors to fulfill their water demand) for Nyamugasani, and four times less for the Doho site. However, for small scale schemes like Kaboko, the economic cost of the pumping system was twice the cost of purchased water due to the smaller size of the scheme. The study also found out that the overall cost of using a diesel pump is higher than the use of solar pumping system. Levelized cost of energy of Solar Powered Irrigation system is lower because it requires minor maintenance and it is fuel independent.
It was concluded that solar water pumping is an excellent alternative to meet the water demand of the irrigatable crop fields with medium and large water demands, but it may not be the preferred approach for areas with very low water demand such as Kaboko where rainfall is usually available.
Further, it was concluded that Solar Powered Irrigation system can be more attractive and suitable energy technology deployed alongside diesel systems in different areas with good solar radiation and where the cost of the transmission system to on-grid is very high. It was thus recommended that solar powered irrigation systems should be more likely attractive to government’s support and connect them to major national irrigation development efforts, to improve agricultural transformation, electrification, and industrialization. Additionally, government should ensure maximum coordination among ministries of agriculture, water and energy to achieve integrated policies and programs that facilitate rural development through solar powered irrigation systems. | en_US |
