Comparative analysis of solar energy efficiency of solar water pumping and other sources in Uganda.

Abstract

This report deals with the analysis ofsolar water pumping in comparison to other energies used for water pumping. The availability of different energies in Uganda allows water pumping in different areas accordingly like solar energy, wind energy, grid power and hydrocarbon energy sources. This project analyses systems according to performance and cost in order to allow better decision making when choosing an energy to use for submersible water pumping accordingly. The research deals with the study of submersible water pumping using solar, wind, grid and diesel power sources. Performance of the systems was studied using different cases to have a better coloration ofthe results. Costs used in setting up the systems were studied using different cases to have a better result as well. From the analysis carried out, it is noticed that GWPS are the most efficient systems in terms of performance, followed by WWPS. Using the weighted analysis for the different criteria for LCC, it was noticed that SWPS are better alternatives than DWPS because of the high operational costs. From the weighted analysis, Solar water pumping system is a better alternative than Diesel water pumping system because of its poor payback period, low system savings and low LCC.