Agricultural practices which could enhance solar powered irrigation plant utility

ABSTRACT:
Solar power plants only utilized to drive irrigation pumps may be unused for 2-7 months and under-utilized during other periods of the year. The energy use schedules presented in this report show increased utilization of on-farm solar power plants is possible. Some of the increase could be

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obtained by providing electricity for other applications and altering pumping schedules; additional utilization could be obtained through use of waste thermal energy. Pumping schedules could be altered substantially if irrigation or cropping practices were modified or water were stored. The latter may not be economically feasible, the former are limited by climate, soils and terrain, farm management and crop marketing. Residences are located on most farms, fall harvested grain commonly is dried for storage, and livestock and poultry operations require electricity and some heating. Crop processing operations, such as cotton ginning, and other agricultural businesses, for example greenhouses, also require thermal and electrical energy. Farms commonly are very specialized and would not include several enterprises. Establishment of more general purpose agricultural operations or joint ventures would be required to obtain a wider range of uses for excess energy. More complete utilization of solar power plant output can be obtained on the farm. However, major changes in farming practices or structure are generally necessary to substantially alter the present use pattern or increase the number of applications.

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