Solar, wind-powered water pump out
A revolutionary concept in water supply that will particularly help remote areas has been introduced with the launching of a water pump powered by the sun or wind
By Mikaili Sseppuya
A revolutionary concept in water supply that will particularly help remote areas has been introduced with the launching of a water pump powered by the sun or wind.
Alec Davis the Nairobi based Davis and Shirtliff Group boss recently launched the Grundfos SQFlex pump, which he said would soon become quite common in remote areas because of its flexible alternatives over how to pump water up.
"The solar pump gets power through conversion of sunlight to electricity using solar panels which then runs a motor and the other one is turned by wind turbines which power the pumping of the water.
"It can however also use battery and ac generator power to run the pump motor for standby operations. It is a revolutionary product that I think will be quite common in two or three years. Moreover it is also paid for once and there are no more costs
"With the ever increasing requirements for economic and sustainable water supplies in remote areas, renewable energy pumping systems are becoming the only logical solution. Systems cost between sh10m and 16m depending on capacity," he added.
Members of the public wanted to know the other costs' of the news systems. Several wanted to know how the costs of drilling would be covered.
"Drilling a borehole cost over sh10m. How does that affect the financing? They asked. Davis explained that there were other bodies such as donor agencies that promote the use of renewable energy systems.
A revolutionary concept in water supply that will particularly help remote areas has been introduced with the launching of a water pump powered by the sun or wind.
Alec Davis the Nairobi based Davis and Shirtliff Group boss recently launched the Grundfos SQFlex pump, which he said would soon become quite common in remote areas because of its flexible alternatives over how to pump water up.
"The solar pump gets power through conversion of sunlight to electricity using solar panels which then runs a motor and the other one is turned by wind turbines which power the pumping of the water.
"It can however also use battery and ac generator power to run the pump motor for standby operations. It is a revolutionary product that I think will be quite common in two or three years. Moreover it is also paid for once and there are no more costs
"With the ever increasing requirements for economic and sustainable water supplies in remote areas, renewable energy pumping systems are becoming the only logical solution. Systems cost between sh10m and 16m depending on capacity," he added.
Members of the public wanted to know the other costs' of the news systems. Several wanted to know how the costs of drilling would be covered.
"Drilling a borehole cost over sh10m. How does that affect the financing? They asked. Davis explained that there were other bodies such as donor agencies that promote the use of renewable energy systems.