Solar-powered pumping

Paul Boughton

The new SUN-BUDDY is a solar-powered submersible pumping system that has been designed to combine outstanding performance, long life and minimal maintenance requirements.

Managing water movement on a small rural property can be a challenging task, with water that has to be drawn from rivers, bores, tanks and stock dams for small-scale crop irrigation, stock watering, garden watering and general household use. The NOV Mono SUN-BUDDY uses technology that was previously only available to large-scale agricultural operations, and offers a versatile variable flow capability which is suited to a wide range of different applications.

SUN-BUDDY is a easy to install ‘plug and play’ solution

The SUN-BUDDY is a  easy to install ‘plug and play’ solution. Its minimal maintenance requirements can be handled onsite, making the SUN-BUDDY a set-and-forget solution which delivers high-quality and cost-effective performance.

Driven by solar energy, this small but efficient pump requires no diesel, grid power, wind or batteries to run. This environmentally-friendly method enables the operator to quickly recover the initial cost by eliminating all future fuel and electricity bills.

“The SUN-BUDDY offers many benefits for operators using it on hobby farms and other small-scale rural properties,” says Mono’s Agricultural Industry Manager, Nick McNamara. “It uses a progressing cavity action with a helical rotor element which allows it to deliver maximum output, even if the water contains silt or iron oxides. A variable speed control allows the flow to be regulated to suit different conditions such as low yield bores, while a low speed operation capability provides extended rotor and stator life.”

Designed to operate in harsh conditions, the SUN-BUDDY incorporates a robust, brushless, submersible DC motor. This delivers high torque, high efficiency performance and features thermal overload protection that ensures long life and reliable operation. A solar maximum power point tracker adjusts the voltage output of the 195 Watt solar array to maximise power generation and increase or decrease voltage to suit the demands being placed on the pump.

SUN-BUDDY specifications: Delivers discharge pressures up to 35 metres; performance range is from 3m3 per day at 35 metres, to 14m3 per day at 10 metres;  can accommodate 100 mm (4-in) boreholes; automated using a float switch; compatible with water temperatures from 8°C to 34°C, and pH values between 6.0 and 8.5.

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