Updated on February 13, 2024

·

Created on September 15, 2020

RainMaker 2

Upcoming Update

The RainMaker 2 is a submersible irrigation pump that can be powered with a solar battery.

Developed By
  1. SunCulture
Tested By
  • The Impact Programme
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

The RainMaker is a submersible irrigation pump designed by SunCulture that can pump water from a depth of 70 m and a flow rate of 50 L/min. The pump comes with a solar panel and a ClimateSmart Battery™ which can also be used to power lights, televisions, and phone chargers.

Target SDGs

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Market Suggested Retail Price

$1,184.67

Market Suggested Retail Price (Secondary Currency)

125,900 KES

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

This product is implemented directly to consumers in Africa by SunCulture.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include GF1 Submersible Solar Pump and Futurepump SF1 Solar Pump.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Unknown

Intellectural Property Type

Trade Secret

User Provision Model

Consumers can purchase this product by contacting SunCulture or visiting a regional office in Kenya.

Distributions to Date Status

Unknown

Pump type

Solar submersible pump

Irrigation capacity (acre)

1 acre

Maximum flow rate (L/min)

50 L/min

Maximum lift/head (m)

70 m

Required pressure (MPa)

0.686 MPa

Maximum distance from water source (m)

100 m

Power source

Motorized

Power requirement: Max power (W)

200 W

Power requirement: Max motor current (A)

8 A

Power requirement: Voltage range (V)

24 – 34 V

Design Specifications

The Rainmaker 2 comes with several components: a submersible irrigation pump, a 300 W roof-mounted solar panel, 100 m of 25 mm PN10 PE pipe, four sprinklers with fittings, 50 m of electrical cable, four 600 lumen LEd lightbulbs with a 5 m cable and switch, and a ClimateSmart™ system which includes a lithium-ion battery and MPPT charging controller. The ClimateSmart™ system collects power from the solar panel, allowing the user to use the power for the irrigation pump and the lights or other electronics.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Technical support is provided by SunCulture through their website or through their regional offices in Kenya.

Replacement Components

SunCulture provides after-sales support

Lifecycle

This product includes a 3-year warranty and has an expected lifetime of 10 years

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The designer specifies that the irrigation pump can pump up to 2500 L of water an hour from a water source up to 70 m deep.

Vetted Performance Status

Testing performed by The Impact Programme found the RainMaker 2 saved customers time and money over traditional diesel pumps and manual irrigation methods, and that almost half of the customers reported an increase in farm yields and income.

Safety

Potential hazards related to this product include electric shock, risk of fire, and physical injury due to equipment failure.

Complementary Technical Systems

SunCulture sells add-on technology such as a drip irrigation kit and a television. They also sell a version of the RainMaker 2 called ClimateSmart Direct™ which does not come with a battery or lights and has a smaller pumping capacity.

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.

“RainMaker2 with ClimateSmartTM Battery,” SunCulture, 05-Mar-2022. Available: https://sunculture.io/rainmaker2-with-climatesmart-battery/

“Goal 2,” Sdgs.un.org. Available: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal2

“SunCulture – Experience the Power of the Sun,” SunCulture, 03-Nov-2020. Available: https://sunculture.io/#1574149801377-3f83cdf1-bf1a

Engineeringforchange.org. Available: https://www.engineeringforchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ClimateSmart-Solar-Energy-System-Datasheet-1.pdf

“SunCulture Drip Irrigation Kit,” Engineering For Change, 18-Aug-2016. Available: https://www.engineeringforchange.org/solutions/product/sunculture-drip-irrigation-kit/

“Homepage,” Iec.ch. Available: https://www.iec.ch/homepage

Compliance with regulations

This product meets the testing certifications IEC 60335-1, IEC 60335-2-41, and ISO 9001:2015.

Evaluation methods

This product has been tested for electrical and water suction safety by the International Electrotechnical Comission and has been certified for quality by the International Organization for Standardization.

Other Information

SunCulture won the Gloabal LEAP Awards in 2019 for their ClimateSmart Direct™ solar irrigation system. ClimateSmart Solar Energy System Product schematics and datasheet

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