Bangladesh Solar Powered Trailer Pump

How many solar irrigation pumps are there in Bangladesh?

So far, a total of 1969 solar irrigation pumps (SIPs) across 25 districts (installed capacity at 46.98 MW) have been set up, mainly by IDCOL. IDCOL, the primary agency working for mainstreaming of solar pumps in Bangladesh, uses the fee-for-service model.

How do solar pumps work in Bangladesh?

IDCOL, the primary agency working for mainstreaming of solar pumps in Bangladesh, uses the fee-for-service model. In this model, an NGO/private entrepreneur (sponsor) gets a 50% grant and a 35% loan from IDCOL to set up SIPs in the villages. Then, these sponsors sell irrigation services to farmers in exchange for a fee.

What is Breb - solar photovoltaic pumping for agricultural irrigation?

One of their objectives is to encourage the use of surface water for irrigation. In addition, Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), through an ADB financed project called Solar Photovoltaic Pumping for Agricultural Irrigation, plans to install 2200 solar pumps in Bangladesh under the individual ownership model.

What is solar photovoltaic pumping for agricultural irrigation?

This project is called ‘Solar Photovoltaic Pumping for Agricultural Irrigation’, with pump capacity varying from 2.2 kW to 11 kW.

Is solar irrigation a good idea in Bangladesh?

Solar irrigation provides a great opportunity in Bangladesh to replace diesel pumps in off-grid areas with a cleaner energy alternative, thereby reducing the GHG emissions from diesel use, which is harmful to human health and the environment.

Why are diesel pumps used in Bangladesh?

Almost 80 % of the pumps in Bangladesh are operated with diesel, and the remaining 20% use electricity. Despite subsidies on electricity, diesel pumps are being preferred by farmers due to low capital cost and ease of mobility within small and fragmented farmlands (Qureshi et al., 2014).