DAB Pumps has once again proven to be the leader in innovation by creating the DAB S4SUN in South Africa. This 

From managing the supply of drinking water to irrigation, livestock watering and other commercial and residential applications, the benefits of solar-powered water pumps are many. They’re cost-effective, they’re simple to set up, they’re easy to maintain, and they’re wonderfully reliable as well. Of course, choosing the right kind of solar pump is vital in ensuring your needs are met – but how do you go about making your selection to begin with? Let’s take a look.

What is a solar pump?

Let’s start with the basics first. Essentially, solar water pumps use solar power as an energy source in order to pump water, usually when water resources are scarce, remote, or located a significant distance from their end-point applications. Ideal for residential, commercial and agricultural use, solar pumps provide a reliable, consistent water supply when demand for water is high – most notably over hot summer months. The pumps are powered by photovoltaic (PV) panels, and use the electricity generated by solar energy in order to pump water for drinking, cooking, crops, livestock and more.

Due to their solar-powered nature, solar water pumps are more environmentally-friendly than those that rely solely on electricity, and are more efficient to operate as well. With low maintenance and installation costs, they are economically sound and ecologically beneficial, keeping water supply stable and providing a reliable source of green energy.

How to select the right solar pump

When it comes to selecting the right type of solar pump, firstly you’ll need to establish which category of pump you need – submersible or surface water. Submersible pumps are usually submerged in a well or deep water body, while surface water pumps are used at ground level to pump water from shallow ponds or tanks.

The type of pump you need also depends on its application, as every installation is different, and a number of factors need to be considered, such as:

• Your location
• The size of your property
• The size of the pump needed
• The flow rate
• The climate
• Pipe sizes and back pressure
• Pump efficiency
• The amount of PV panels needed

If your pump is the correct size, and all the important variables have been correctly considered, you should have no trouble using your solar water pump to generate an uninterrupted water supply.

Using the DAB S4SUN Selector

Of course, if you’re new to the idea of solar water pumps, or there are any variables you’re unsure of, you may need a little help in selecting the right type of solar pump and setting. That’s where the DAB S4SUN Selector comes in – a handy online tool designed to help you calculate your specific solar and pumping requirements in order to choose exactly the right product for your needs.

Here’s how it works:

1. Log onto https://solarmotor.dabpumps.com/.
2. Enter your location.
3. Enter your pumping requirements, such as:
   1. Total Dynamic Head: the total height that the fluid will be pumped to, taking any friction losses* in the pipe into consideration. 
   2. Total Static Head: the difference in elevation at the outlet including the pressure head, and the elevation at the inlet including the pressure head.
   3. Pressure Head: the measure of a liquid’s pressure, expressed in metres.
   4. *Friction losses refer to the resistance caused by fluid when being pumped through pipes and fittings. This is an inevitable occurrence, and the more friction there is, the more the pumping pressure and fluid velocity are decreased.
4. Once you’ve entered your pumping requirements, the DAB S4SUN Selector will recommend one or more DAB S4SUN solar bore pumps for you, based on the information provided. Take a look at the suggestions and choose the one you feel best suits your needs. 
5. After making your selection, you’ll then be prompted to select your solar array. This will be based on your pumping requirements and location, and how long you can expect your pump to run daily. If you need any help with your selection, simply click the ‘Help’ link for more.
6. Once you’ve entered all the necessary information and variables, the DAB S4SUN Selector will give you a final recommendation and a breakdown of any other equipment or accessories you might need.
   It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s the most user-friendly way to ensure your solar pump meets your individual needs.

The DAB S4Sun Motor

At DAB, we’re all about making your life easy. Just as the DAB S4SUN Selector makes selecting a solar pump easy, the DAB S4Sun Motor makes solar pumping easy at the same time. With 38 models to choose from, with the help of the DAB S4SUN Selector, the DAB S4Sun Motor is reliable, versatile, and cost-effective as well. Offering dry run protection, an easy AC/DC connection, and allowing for generator back-up, the DAB S4Sun Motor is a complete solar power solution for any application, from residential to agricultural and more.

In fact, given its low maintenance nature, the DAB S4Sun Motor is equally as effective in remote areas as it is in residences, able to supply water via solar power in conjunction with the DAB S4, to places where the electricity supply is either inconsistent or unavailable.

Consisting of a submersible motor with a permanent magnet and integrated electronics, a hydraulic S4 wet end and a solar controller, the DAB S4Sun Motor is able to be powered by both AC and DC power sources, making it versatile enough to be used in any and every location. With easy installation, and low to no maintenance, the DAB S4Sun Motor is ideal for use in supplying water to residential homes, off-grid homes and developments, irrigation, water for livestock, and pumping for dams and rivers. What’s more, with a set of accessories including a flow sensor, waterproof cable and zinc anode, the DAB S4Sun Motor is the perfect all-in-one solution to your solar pumping needs.

The sun is one of our most abundant natural resources in South Africa, and it’s only natural that we would want to harness it as a sustainable energy alternative. Choose DAB’s solar power pump selector and solutions for a brighter future, and look forward to saving more time and money than ever.

References:

1. https://mechanicalboost.com/solar-water-pump/#What_is_Solar_Pump

2. https://futurepump.com/choose-solar-pump-flowrate/

3. https://www.solarmango.com/ask/2015/10/05/how-should-i-choose-a-solar-water-pump/

4. https://sinovoltaics.com/learning-center/off-grid/solar-powered-water-pump-sizing-applications-benefits/