The first application of a pivot irrigation system powered 100% by photovoltaic solar energy is in Brazil. With a power of 128 kWp, the system powers a pivot capable of irrigating 96,4 hectares for an average of 6 to 8 hours per day.
The solution, developed by Solbras and Valley, promises to expand irrigated areas, enabling the use of technology in places without access to the electricity grid. The innovation was announced a month after the acquisition of Solbras by the North American Valmont, which also owns the Valley brand.
“We are presenting the fruit of bold work by both companies. After all, the power involved in activating the pivots is high and the solar source is intermittent, which could make operation a little unstable. However, the correct sizing of the system meant that the pivot delivered all the parameters required for irrigation”, stated Fábio Mucin, operations director at Solbras.
The solar plant supplies energy to a horizontal pump that draws water from a reservoir and feeds it to the pivot. The idea is to guarantee the pivot pressurization and wheel speed parameters using solar energy. This ensures water flow and minimum irrigation during the day.
The product is a complement to the portfolio with specific applications, and should be used in places where diesel logistics is difficult and expensive, as the combination with other alternative energy sources can be an option to allow constant irrigation, especially on days cloudy.
This new solution, which uses solar energy as the only source, is now part of the Valley and Solbras portfolio, which operate in the on-grid (connected to the electrical grid) and off-grid (without electrical grid) distributed generation market with combinations from various energy sources, in addition to photovoltaics, such as diesel generators and batteries.
The pilot project was implemented in Minas Gerais, the largest irrigation hub in Brazil. After more than a month of operation with satisfactory results, the project was commissioned and the solution will be made available to the market in the coming weeks in Brazil and worldwide.
Attractive payback
The direct comparison of this system is with the diesel generator, the most widely used alternative today. Thus, considering the use of the pivot throughout the year, the return on the initial investment is calculated in approximately 2 years, since the cost of operation and maintenance is minimal, marginal in relation to that of diesel.
“We are revolutionizing the market, democratizing access to irrigation and offering producers around the world the possibility of increasing their productivity. A solution developed in Brazil that will be made available to the international market,” said Renato Silva, CEO of Valmont in Brazil.
“This product, which will reach the market through the Valley reseller network, delivers value to rural producers, who have another option to improve the efficiency and productivity of their property. With this new feature, we are ensuring that precision irrigation with clean, cheap energy is available to all areas. Even the most remote ones”, commented Jonas Proença, director of network development and marketing at Valmont in Brazil.
