Feasibility assessment of renewable energies for cassava irrigation in China

Abstract

In recent years, clean energies are more and more valued. Applying wind power and solar power to farm irrigation can contribute to energy saving and carbon emission reduction. Based on the irrigational water demand of cassava in an area in Guangxi Province, China, this study compared the supply capacity of hybrid wind/solar power water pumping and that of photovoltaic (PV) water pumping through experiments and calculation. Results show that, the hybrid pumping system supported by a 22kW solar panel and wind turbines of 44kW can fully satisfy cassava’s water demand for irrigation in a 26.66 ha field with surplus energy, so shutdown of wind turbines in the initial stages of cassava growth is suggested. The 22kW photovoltaic water pump alone is not sufficient for a 26.66 ha field, but a 1.5-time larger solar panel (33kW) with an enhanced pump should be able to meet the demand. Considering local uneven distribution of wind power and relative high cost of a hybrid power system, the enhanced photovoltaic water pumping is recommended for popularization.