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The situation is well illustrated in Spain, which, according to the official figures in the monthly report prepared by the Ministry of Ecological Transition, is heading into the summer of 2023 with 40% of its territory on high or emergency alert for water scarcity. Within this plight, experts distinguish between three types of drought (meteorological, agricultural and hydrological), of which agricultural drought refers to a lack of soil moisture.

Closely related to climate change and the global rise in temperatures is a growing awareness of the importance of using renewable energy sources to reduce the carbon emissions that contribute to the dreaded greenhouse effect. As a result, there is a need for environmentally friendly solutions that will allow the agricultural industry to meet its irrigation requirements without incurring considerable economic costs or high levels of energy consumption.

From the sun to the soil

One solution that meets all these requirements is the use of variable frequency drives for solar pumping. To begin with, variable frequency drives installed in water pumps can reduce the motor speed from the outset, generating energy savings of up to 50%.

In addition, the electronic control of the variable frequency drive helps to optimise its performance by adapting to the highly variable operating conditions of the pump, which in turn depends on the hydraulic supply requirements. This optimisation is achieved by varying - hence the name of the device - both the frequency and the voltage that supply the motor and regulate its speed. In other words, the pump's motor always runs at the optimal speed.

But where does the power for the drive come from? The most abundant source of energy in the rural environment is the sun, hence the existence of variable speed drives designed to run on this plentiful and environmentally friendly power source. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has recognised the benefits of using solar pumping for agricultural irrigation. They include reduced costs, respect for the environment, zero dependence on fossil fuels, extended service life and low maintenance requirements, to name but a few.

To this list, we would add the remarkable versatility of variable frequency drives for solar pumping, which, as we mentioned earlier, can adapt to changing irrigation needs with ease and are simple to install, as there is no need for bulky generators or fuel tanks that have to be refilled periodically, not to mention the fact that they produce no pollution or noise.

As an expert in power electronics with a high degree of environmental awareness, Salicru has developed variable frequency drives for solar pumping that combine all these attributes. Thus, the CV30-PVs use the radiation captured by solar panels to power the drive with direct current, which, in turn, supplies alternating current to a submersible pump. The extracted water can then be stored in a tank or used immediately for irrigation.

These versatile drives are available in a comprehensive range of power ratings from 0.4 to 75 kW. Beyond their use for agricultural irrigation, they can also be employed to cover the needs of domestic water supply in isolated areas, water for livestock, fish farming facilities, municipal irrigation and forestry. And, of course, they come with the advanced technology, ease of use and high level of protection offered by all Salicru products.