Bahamas
Solar Market Outlook in the Bahamas
Bahamas is one of those countries that belong in what is so-called the “Hurricane Alley”. After many years of being hit by a hurricane, most of its power and electrical grid had been destroyed. This is why the Bahamas government is looking at renewable energy sources as a viable alternative and solar energy makes a valid case.
The Prime Minister of the Bahamas is leading the talks to focus more on empowering its solar energy market. Prior to this, the main energy source is with diesel-fueled generating stations that rely on overhead lines to feed power to the islands.
Due to the risk of storms and hurricanes, they are planning to build a solar grid that will be storm-proof. This push was started way back in 2017 and while the progress is slow, it is moving at a steady pace.
The long-term goal for the solar market in the Bahamas is to transform it into a green island. According to the government, while the country is small, they hope to set an example to the rest of the world that solar energy can be achieved.
Solar Energy Equipment Supply Capacity in the Bahamas
With the continued commitment by the government to empower the solar energy market in the Bahamas, there are wide arrays of solar equipment suppliers that are available in the island. For those looking for more options, there are nearby countries that provide easy access to solar panels, solar components, and more.
Major Seaports & Logistics in the Bahamas
The shipping and logistics activity in the Bahamas is very much thriving. This makes it easy to access solar power equipment from suppliers in and out of the island.
The following seaports make it efficient to handle goods for solar power installations:
- Nassau,
- Freeport,
- Inagua Islands,
- South Riding Point
- Ocean Cay.
Solar Water Pump
Solar water pump definition
A solar water pump is a mechanical pump powered by electricity generated using photovoltaic panels. It is popularly referred to as a solar water pumping system because it requires several key components to work. The critical constituents of a functional water pump include;
- A solar panel array
- A mechanical DC water pump
- Photovoltaic cables
- A fuse box
- A solar charger control
You can employ a solar water pump in various applications, including crop irrigation and drinking water supply. Currently, it is the most suitable option for all your pumping needs because it has several benefits. It is essentially more efficient to operate and less costly to maintain than traditional fossil fuel-powered pumps. More importantly, it is environmentally friendly primarily because it runs on renewable solar energy. How exactly does it work?
The solar water pump’s working principle
When most of us hear of a solar water pump, we assume it is pretty challenging to use. I can confidently tell you that its usage is pretty straightforward once you install all the necessary components. Figure 1 below offers an outline of the main things you need to have in place for your solar water pump to work efficiently;
Figure 1: Components of a functional solar water pump system
The solar array absorbs solar energy and converts it into electric energy. The solar water pump’s inverter converts the DC electric current output generated by the photovoltaic system into AC. The AC electric current powers the pump and propels water from the source to the intended destination.
It is also crucial to note that the inverters regulate the electricity output frequency and voltage instantaneously. These regulatory actions correspond to variations in sunlight intensity. In simple terms, the system switches to supplementary energy automatically when sunlight intensity weakens. Is this not enough to convince you that a solar water pumping system is worth its investment?
Classifications of solar water pumps
There are several classifications of solar water pumps that you can choose from depending on your specific needs. The main varieties of solar water pumps include;
- The submersible solar water pump
This type of pump is ideal for deep water sources such as wells. It can lift up to 650 feet of water provided the sunlight energy can generate sufficient electricity to power the pump. Consequently, it is advisable to pump and store water when the sun’s intensity is at its best.
- The surface solar water pump
This pumping system is suitable for shallow water sources, including streams, storage tanks, and ponds. They can comfortably lift water with a depth of not more than 20 feet. If you intend to draw water beyond this depth, it would be best to settle for submersible pumps.
