Updated on January 19, 2024

·

Created on May 26, 2017

AgroSolar Irrigation System

Upcoming Update

AgroSolar is an irrigation system product made for smallholder farmers.

Developed By
  1. SunCulture
Tested By
  • SunCulture
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

AgroSolar is an irrigation system for smallholder farmers that uses solar power to pump up to 2500 L of water from a source up to 70 m deep and irrigate using an add-on drip irrigation system. Excess energy from the solar panel can be used to power lights, phones, or televisions. This product has been discontinued and was replaced by SunCulture’s RainMaker 2 in 2019.

Target SDGs

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Market Suggested Retail Price

$2,401.16

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Sunculture

Competitive Landscape

Manufacturing/Building Method

The product was made-to-order according to farm size and layout.

Intellectural Property Type

Trade Secret

User Provision Model

Users can purchase the product directly from SunCulture.

Distributions to Date Status

SunCulture has sold over 450 AgroSolar Irrigation kits since 2012 field trials.

Coefficient of distribution uniformity

+/- 10% Interview with representative

Highest limit burst pressure

1.2 Bars Interview with representative

Maximum run length

50 m (drip tape) Interview with representative

Minimum viable operating pressure

0.3 Bars (3m high tank stand) Interview with representative

Design Specifications

The complete kit has solar panels that power a submersible direct current (DC) solar pump which fills a water tank. A control valve allows farmers to use the stored water, which passes through a filter and is delivered to the crop root zones via drip irrigation tape. The kit includes PVC (polyvinyl chloride) layflat pipes and all required connectors, fittings, and valves for the irrigation system and the solar panels, 12 foot security stand for solar panels, electrical cable and HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) pipe for the solar pump system.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

The manufacturer can provide installation and training for an additional cost, as well as technical support.

Replacement Components

Unknown

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The product was designed to allow farmers to grow higher quality crops and increase yields by 300% or more. Note that prices on the image are in KES.

Produce Yield Per Acre (KGs)  Maturity Price Per KG (WholeSale) Revenue Per Season
Beans 500  90 days 60 30,000
Kale 8,000 60  days 15 1,20,000
Cabbage 20,000 75  days 15 3,00,000
Carrots 2,20,000 85-125  days 15 3,30,000
Green Capsicum 10,000 90  days 60 6,00,000
Tomato 20,000 75  days 30 6,00,000
Onion 12,000 90  days 50 6,00,000
Red Capsicum 10,000 90  days 80 8,00,000
[caption id="attachment_23803" align="alignnone" width="300"] Revenue per crop[/caption]

Vetted Performance Status

Unknown

Safety

No known safety hazards are related to this product.

Complementary Technical Systems

The SunCulture Drip Irrigation Kit was a drip irrigation add-on for this product available for purchase from SunCulture. By visiting the farm, irrigation engineers can provide a survey and soil report, with an additional cost ranging from 24.20 to 43.56 USD. Installation and training are also available at additional cost.

Academic Research and References

Merrey, D. J. and Langan, S., 2014, Review Paper on ‘Garden Kits’ in Africa: Lessons Learned and the Potential of Improved Water Management, IWMI Working Paper No. 162.

Michaelowa, A., Köhler, M., Friedmann, V., Tkacik, J., and Dransfeld, B., 2016, IMPAQT Case Study.

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Other Information

Youtube video of Agrosolar Irrigation System SunCulture Products The company has plans to expand operations to Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The kit is for smallholder farmers in Africa, Kenya specifically. This system is intended for small farms ranging from 1/8 to 1 acre. Although it can be used on any crop, it is recommended for beans, kale, cabbage, carrots, green capsicum, tomato, onion, and red capsicum. Manufacturer suggests that farmers need little or no training to use the system; installation and further technical support is

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