Background
Kiprotich Farm is located in the Rift Valley region of Kenya, where farms commonly rely on deep boreholes for livestock water supply. The farm keeps:
- 45 dairy cows, and
- 60 goats
Daily water is required for animal drinking, bucket washing, and supplementary irrigation of a small fodder plot.
Previously, the farm used a diesel pump, costing 8,000–10,000 KES per month, plus repairs. During dry months, the diesel cost nearly doubled.
Challenges
- Borehole depth around 120–140 meters
- High diesel operating cost
- Unstable supply during dry seasons
- Need for a reliable, off-grid, high-head solar pump
- Limited maintenance capacity in remote areas
The farm needed a solution that could pump water from a deep borehole efficiently while reducing fuel expenses.
Solution: Installation of Flowatt FLW 3-inch Helical Rotor Solar Pump
The farm installed the Flowatt 900W 3-inch Helical Rotor Solar Pump (Model: 3SSH2.2/140-D72/900), paired with:
- 900W solar deep well pump
- 72V MPPT solar pump controller
- 2 × 540W panels in series (1,080W total)
- 3,000-liter elevated storage tank
- Gravity-fed drinking troughs and pipeline distribution
The system is fully solar-powered, requiring no fuel and no grid electricity.
Technical Performance Based on Real Specifications
Pump Technical Data
|
Total daily requirement: |
|
|
Dairy cow water intake: 35–60 L/day Goat water intake: 4–7 L/day |
Cows → 45 × ~45 L = ~2,000 L Goats → 60 × ~5 L = ~300 L Washing & fodder → ~1,000 L Total daily water need: ~3,300 L |
| Parameter | Value |
| Power | 900W (1.2 HP) |
| Rated Voltage | 72Vdc (32–100Vdc range) |
| Rated Current | 12A |
| Max Flow | 2,200 L/hr |
| Max Head | 140 meters |
| Pump Size | 3 inch |
| Outlet Size | 0.75 inch |
| Motor | BLDC (Brushless DC Motor) |
| Pump Body | 304 Stainless Steel |
| Helical Rotor | 304 Stainless Steel + Rubber |
| Shaft / Screw | 304 Stainless Steel |
| Controller | 32-bit MCU, MPPT, FOC / Sine-wave drive |
| IP Rating | IP68 waterproof |
Daily Water Output (Realistic Calculation)
Flow rate: 2,200 L/hr
Effective sunshine pumping time: 5–6 hours/day
➡ Daily supply: 11,000–13,200 L/day
This is 3–4 times more than the farm’s daily water requirement (~3,300 L/day).
Results & Benefits
1. Diesel cost reduced by 100%
Before installation:
- 8,000–10,000 KES/month on diesel
- Extra costs for repair, filters, oil, and breakdowns
After Flowatt solar pump:
➡ 0 KES/month operating cost
Annual savings: 100,000–120,000 KES
2. Stable and clean water supply for livestock
The pump now fills a 3,000-liter tank every day before noon, providing:
- Sufficient drinking water for all 45 cows & 60 goats
- Water for washing milking buckets
- Extra water for fodder irrigation
Even during dry season, the borehole pump maintains uninterrupted water flow.
3. Designed for deep boreholes (up to 140m)
The helical rotor design combined with BLDC motor offers:
- Higher pressure at deep heads
- Smooth and steady flow
- Excellent performance at 100–140m depth
Perfect for Rift Valley and East African borehole conditions.
4. Durable materials suitable for African environments
All core parts are 304 stainless steel, preventing corrosion and prolonging pump life in:
- Hard water
- Sandy boreholes
- High-mineral regions
The rotor combines 304 stainless steel + rubber, ensuring higher efficiency at deep heads.
Customer Feedback
“The Flowatt solar pump has completely changed our water situation. We can now water all cows and goats daily without buying diesel. The pump fills our 3,000-liter tank before midday, even though our borehole is 130 meters deep. The cost savings are huge, and we finally have a stable water supply.”
— Kiprotich, Rift Valley, Kenya
Product Highlights (FLW-3SSH2.2/140-D72/900)
- 3-inch helical rotor pump designed for deep wells up to 140m
- Strong pressure for high-head livestock boreholes
- 2,200 L/hr flow rate — suitable for 40–80 head of cattle or 150–300 goats
- All 304 stainless-steel structure
- Brushless DC motor (BLDC) with high efficiency
- Pure solar — zero ongoing cost
- Minimal maintenance, long lifespan
