Experimental investigation of solar/wind hybrid system for irrigation in Konya, Turkey

Abstract

In this study, an experimental research for agricultural irrigation was completed for a renewable hybrid power generation system consisting of photovoltaic panels and wind turbine which can be considered as an alternative to Diesel generators used for pumping applications. Generated electricity was used to power a 300 W DC-driven submersible pump at 2.5 m depth of the ground level. Overall efficiencies of the wind turbine and cell efficiencies of the photovoltaic panels in July 2011 were calculated as 33.3% and 10.07%, respectively. It was observed that the daily mean of produced electricity by the system in July was enough to pump daily average 44.1 m3/day of water from the depth of 2.5 m and totally 1368 m3 of water during the month. It was calculated that the amount of pumped water is sufficient to meet water need of the agricultural products that were 12.4 decares of sugar beet, 13.0 decares of potatoes, 13.4 decares for corn, 13.6 decares green bean and 10.8 decares for sun flower with the drip irrigation method. It was demonstrated that the renewable hybrid energy system enables to save the 10410 USD on energy in twenty-year period after the basic payback period of 5.7 years. In addition, the net present value and internal rate of return of the project were found to be 7361 USD and 12.6%, respectively.