Energy Environment and Economy
Energy, Environment and Sustainable Sciences | online ISSN 3069-0935
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Volume 4 Number 1 2026
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)
Design, PVsyst Simulation, and Field Validation of a 1500 W Solar-Powered Water Pumping System for Off-Grid Irrigation in Babylon, Iraq
Sarah Ahed Mohammed Al-Hasnawi 1*
Energy Environment and Economy 4 (1) 1-9 https://doi.org/10.25163/energy.4110869
Submitted: 31 May 2026 Revised: 28 July 2026 Accepted: 31 July 2026 Published: 03 August 2026
Abstract
Groundwater is an important source of water for agriculture in Southern part of Iraq. In Al-Shomali district Babylon Governorate, limited surface water and an unreliable electricity supply have forced many farmers to depends on diesel -powered water pumps. However, the high cost of diesel makes irrigation expensive. This study evaluated whether a standalone photovoltaic water pumping system (PVWPS). Could provide a suitable alternative to diesel pumps under local conditions. A 1500 W Solar pumping system was designed to pump water from a total dynamic head of 27.5 m and supply approximately 25 m3 of water per day. The system was designed using hydraulic and electrical calculations and simulated with PV syst software using local weather data. A perturb and observe maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller was used to improve pump operation under changing sunlight conditions. The system was installed in the field and its actual performance was compared with the simulation results. The system achieved an average performance ratio of about 78% and an overall efficiency of approximately 48%. It was also estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.8 tons per year compared with a similar diesel -powered system. Differences between simulated and measured results were mainly linked to dust accumulation on the solar panels. Overall, the findings show that a properly designed solar water pumping system can be a practical and cost-effective option for agricultural irrigation in dry areas with limited grid electricity. However, further monitoring over different seasons is needed to assess its long-term performance.
Keywords: Photovoltaic Water Pumping; Off Grid irrigation; MPPT Control; PVsyst Simulation; Iraq Renewable Energy
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