Daniel, a 38-year-old smallholder farmer from Nakuru, Kenya, has relied for years on growing tomatoes, kale, and other vegetables to support his family. But the local climate is dry, surface water is unreliable, and every season he spent large amounts of money on diesel to run his old generator for irrigation.
As fuel prices continued to rise, Daniel often faced the painful dilemma of “no irrigation, no harvest.”
The Turning Point: Discovering Solar Water Pumps
In early 2025, Daniel began searching for a more stable and affordable solution for his farm. While browsing online, he discovered our website and came across the Flowatt 4-inch 110V 1500W solar submersible pump — model 4SSC4.8/203-D110/1500.
Key specifications:
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Flow rate: 4.8 m³/h – ideal for sprinkler irrigation
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Max head: 203 m – strong enough for deep boreholes
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Power: 1500W
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Voltage: 110VDC (wide input range supported)
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Recommended solar input: works efficiently with approximately 4 × 550W of solar panels (not included)
It was exactly what he had been looking for — reliable, quiet, and fully independent from diesel. The pump itself costs under $400USD.
What really won Daniel over was the battery-free design — the system runs directly on solar panels, meaning that beyond the initial investment, there are virtually no ongoing fuel or electricity costs. Daniel decided to give it a try.
Installation Day: From Doubt to Surprise
With the help of a local technician, Daniel installed the Flowatt solar water pump and carefully lowered it into his ~80-meter borehole. The setup was completed in less than half a day.
When he powered on the system for the first time, he barely noticed it running — the pump was extremely quiet.
Soon, however, he saw the water level in the storage tank rising steadily. A smile spread across Daniel’s face, one he hadn’t shown in years.
5–6 Hours of Sunlight = Enough Water for 6 Acres
Before using solar, Daniel spent 1–2 hours per day fueling and maintaining his generator. Now, he only occasionally checks that the solar panels are clean.
Water output calculation:
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Pump flow rate: 4.8 m³/h
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Effective sunlight: ≈ 5.5 hours/day
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Daily water volume: 4.8 × 5.5 ≈ 26.4 m³/day
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Local vegetable farms require ≈ 4 m³/acre/day → 26.4 ÷ 4 ≈ 6.6 acres
This means Daniel’s 6–7 acres of vegetables now receive stable, daily irrigation, improving crop uniformity and increasing yields.
Cost Comparison: Diesel vs Solar Water Pump
| Item | Diesel Generator | Flowatt Solar Submersible Pump |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment cost | $600–$800 (generator) | under $400 (Pump and Controller) |
| Fuel / electricity per year | $900–$1,200 | $0 |
| Maintenance cost per year | $100–$200 | $10–$20 (minor maintenance) |
| Total 3-year cost | $3,200–$3,800 | $420–$460 |
| Payback period | N/A | 2–3 years |
| Reliability | Dependent on fuel availability | Stable and fully solar-powered |
| Environmental impact | High CO₂ emissions | Zero emissions |
Note: Solar panels are not included; recommended size: 4 × 550W panels.
Daniel’s Real Feedback
"When diesel prices went high, I could only irrigate part of my farm. Now, as soon as the sun comes up, the pump starts working. The water supply is stable. I no longer worry about fuel, and I don’t repair the generator anymore. This is the best investment I’ve made in the past ten years."
He also calculated his savings:
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$900–$1,200 per year on fuel and electricity
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Minimal maintenance costs
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Higher crop yield = additional income
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Expected payback: 2–3 years
Who Is This Pump Ideal For?
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6–7 acre vegetable, maize, or bean farms
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Areas with groundwater 50–120 meters deep
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Farmers in off-grid or unstable grid regions
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Farms using drip or sprinkler irrigation
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Smallholders in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, and similar regions
With an additional storage tank, farmers can expand irrigated acreage using:
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Daytime pumping
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Night-time irrigation
Perfect for African smallholder agriculture.
Conclusion: A Quiet Transformation
Daniel’s journey reflects a broader trend across Africa: from diesel to solar, from uncertainty to sustainability.
The Flowatt 4SSC4.8/203-D110/1500 solar submersible pump is more than equipment — it’s a tool helping farmers increase income, reduce risks, and build a sustainable future.
