Solar Photovoltaic Water Pumping System Optimization Model Validation in Brazil

A mathematical model for sizing solar photovoltaic water pumping systems was validated in a pilot unit in the rural community of Rio Belo, Orleans/SC, Brazil. The model uses the Generalized Reduced Gradient method, regional solar radiation data, water consumption, well productivity, and pumping system capacity for technical and economic optimization. Validation occurred in a location with an average annual radiation of approximately 4.5 kWh/m².day, showing results close to monitored behavior.

Use Cases

• Optimizing solar photovoltaic water pumping system sizing based on regional solar radiation data.
• Simulating system performance for technical and economic optimization using the Generalized Reduced Gradient method.
• Validating simulation models against monitored data from real-world pilot installations.
• Supporting decision-making for water and energy access projects in isolated communities.

Strengths

• Model validated in a real-world pilot system located in a rural community.
• Uses specific regional solar radiation data, approximately 4.5 kWh/m².day.
• Incorporates concrete inputs: water consumption, well productivity, and pumping system capacity.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to a single pilot location in Brazil.

Provenance

Source

Rodrigo Delalibera Carvalho

Collection Method

Mathematical modeling and simulation validated with monitored data from a pilot system.

Geography

Rio Belo, Orleans, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil