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Solar or wind powered water system?

Posted by kittyl 8/9 Calif (My Page) on
Sun, Jul 15, 07 at 11:57

I'm interested in hearing from folks who have put in a solar or wind powered well. What are the best sources? What did it cost? Have you connected your solar panels to the electric company for a rebate? Anyone know of an other forums discussing solar and/or wind power?


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RE: Solar or wind powered water system?

Don't even think of pumping water with solar power. (A wind mill is pretty efficient at pumping water. Storing water is a lot cheaper than storing electricity.

I wouldn't even generate power for doing this. It has too many steps. Windmill -> generator -> battery -> inverter ->pump each with its inefficiencies.

Depending on your situation, you can either use a conventional windmill directly over the well and use a mechanical linkage, or you can use a windmill that pumps air and use an air lift. (Do a search for pond aeration windmill. Most of them have options for water pumping as well as aeration.)

My well pump is 1/2 horse. It draws 5 amps at 220 volts or 1100 watts. This is major power for a solar array. During the summer we use about 300 KwHr/month pumping water.


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