Design of Automatic Irrigation System for Small Farmers in Rwanda
Affiliation(s)
1 Electrical and Electronics Department, University of Rwanda-College of Science and Technology, Kigali, Rwanda. 2 Alternative Energy Department, Tumba College of Technology, Rulindo, Rwanda.
1 Electrical and Electronics Department, University of Rwanda-College of Science and Technology, Kigali, Rwanda. 2 Alternative Energy Department, Tumba College of Technology, Rulindo, Rwanda.
ABSTRACT
In Rwanda, agricultural industry depends on seasonal rain, and this has been a great challenge to agriculture in Rwanda. The designed sample of Photovoltaic pumping system is for irrigation on a piece of land, with 100 m2 field fed by underground water tank of 8 meters of elevation collected during rainy seasons. The adapted 100 m2 field is based on the fact that Rwanda is a densely populated country, also is adapted to be used especially in horticulture to increase exportation. In this system, a photovoltaic system is used as a power source; a pump is coupled with electric motor to drive it and hosepipe to convey water to the storage tank. A sensor is used to send a signal to the driver section at the same time sending a signal to the microcontroller that controls the driver unit and the corresponding relay, which switches off the motor when the water level reaches the lowest level.
In Rwanda, agricultural industry depends on seasonal rain, and this has been a great challenge to agriculture in Rwanda. The designed sample of Photovoltaic pumping system is for irrigation on a piece of land, with 100 m2 field fed by underground water tank of 8 meters of elevation collected during rainy seasons. The adapted 100 m2 field is based on the fact that Rwanda is a densely populated country, also is adapted to be used especially in horticulture to increase exportation. In this system, a photovoltaic system is used as a power source; a pump is coupled with electric motor to drive it and hosepipe to convey water to the storage tank. A sensor is used to send a signal to the driver section at the same time sending a signal to the microcontroller that controls the driver unit and the corresponding relay, which switches off the motor when the water level reaches the lowest level.
Cite this paper
Geoffrey, G. , Dieu, M. , Pierre, N. and Aimable, T. (2015) Design of Automatic Irrigation System for Small Farmers in Rwanda. Agricultural Sciences, 6, 291-294. doi: 10.4236/as.2015.63029.
Geoffrey, G. , Dieu, M. , Pierre, N. and Aimable, T. (2015) Design of Automatic Irrigation System for Small Farmers in Rwanda. Agricultural Sciences, 6, 291-294. doi: 10.4236/as.2015.63029.
References
[1] Eng. Umer Mehmood. (2009) Pilot Testing of Solar Water Pumps. Lahore-Pakistan, Punjab, 2-8, 27, 31. [2] Chris Callahan, P.E. and Waterman, B. (2013) Solar Water Pumping Basics. UVM Extension, 1-9. [3] Morales, T.D. and Busch, J. (2010) Design of Small Photovoltaic (PV) Solar-Powered Water Pump Systems. Technical Note No. 28, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington DC, 55-71. [4] Vick, B.D. and Clark, R.N. (2009) Determining the Optimum Solar Water Pumping System for Domestic Use or Irrigation. Proceedings of the 4th Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conference, 4, 132-145. [5] Museruka, C. and Mutabazi, A. (2007) Assessment of Global Solar Radiation over Rwanda. International Conference on Clean Electrical Power, Capri, 21-23 May 2007, 670-676.
[1] Eng. Umer Mehmood. (2009) Pilot Testing of Solar Water Pumps. Lahore-Pakistan, Punjab, 2-8, 27, 31. [2] Chris Callahan, P.E. and Waterman, B. (2013) Solar Water Pumping Basics. UVM Extension, 1-9. [3] Morales, T.D. and Busch, J. (2010) Design of Small Photovoltaic (PV) Solar-Powered Water Pump Systems. Technical Note No. 28, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington DC, 55-71. [4] Vick, B.D. and Clark, R.N. (2009) Determining the Optimum Solar Water Pumping System for Domestic Use or Irrigation. Proceedings of the 4th Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conference, 4, 132-145. [5] Museruka, C. and Mutabazi, A. (2007) Assessment of Global Solar Radiation over Rwanda. International Conference on Clean Electrical Power, Capri, 21-23 May 2007, 670-676.