Customer Introduction
Ibrahim Adebayo is a progressive farmer in Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria, managing a 12-hectare farm growing maize, sorghum, and vegetables. For years, he struggled with unreliable electricity from the national grid and escalating costs of diesel fuel to power his conventional centrifugal pump for irrigation. The inconsistent power supply and frequent fuel shortages during dry seasons often threatened his crop yields and food security.
The Challenge
Ibrahim's farm depended on a diesel-powered centrifugal pump that consumed 15-20 liters of fuel daily during irrigation periods. Not only was fuel expensive and increasingly difficult to source, but the pump required constant maintenance due to sediment in the local well water. The noise and exhaust fumes affected his family's quality of life, and the ongoing costs were eroding his already thin profit margins. During the Harmattan season, when water was most needed, fuel prices typically surged by 30-40%.
The Solution
After learning about renewable energy solutions at an agricultural extension workshop organized by Nigeria's Ministry of Agriculture, Ibrahim decided to invest in solar pumping technology. He selected the Flowatt Solar Surface water pump(FLW-CPM21/14-D72-750）system for its durability, high efficiency, and ability to operate without batteries. The implementation included:
- Pump System: 750W solar centrifugal pump with maximum flow rate of 21 m³/hour
- Installation: Pump placed near his borehole with 5 meters suction depth
- Water Management: Integrated with his existing drip irrigation system
- Monitoring: Simple LED indicators showing system performance
Implementation Experience
Ibrahim worked with a local solar installation company from Kano who completed the setup in just two days. "The installation was surprisingly straightforward," Ibrahim recalled. "We dismantled the old diesel pump on Friday, installed the solar centrifugal water pump on Saturday, and by Sunday morning, water was flowing using only sunlight."
The system began operating automatically at sunrise each day, pumping water directly from the borehole to his storage tank and irrigation system. During peak sunlight hours, the pump achieved its maximum flow rate, filling his 8,000-liter storage tank by early afternoon.
Measurable Results
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Immediate Economic Benefits:
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Eliminated ₦3,000-₦4,000 daily diesel expenses (over ₦800,000 annually)
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Reduced maintenance costs by approximately 60% in the first year
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Enhanced Agricultural Productivity:
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Consistent water supply enabled extended growing seasons
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Maize yields increased by 18% in the first harvest cycle
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Ability to grow higher-value vegetables during dry seasons
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Operational Reliability:
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Zero downtime due to fuel shortages or power outages
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System operated consistently throughout the dry season
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Environmental Impact:
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Eliminated approximately 4.8 tons of CO₂ emissions annually
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Quiet operation improved working conditions on the farm
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Customer Feedback
"For years, too much of my income went to fuel merchants," Ibrahim explained. "This solar centrifugal water pump has liberated me from diesel dependency. The sun shines every day in Kaduna, and now that energy goes directly into watering my crops."
Community Impact
Ibrahim's success has attracted attention throughout his community:
- Three neighboring farms have installed similar solar pumping systems
- The local agricultural cooperative is exploring group purchasing options
- His farm has been designated as a demonstration site for sustainable irrigation practices
Future Expansion
Encouraged by the system's performance, Ibrahim plans to:
- Add two additional solar panels to increase water storage capacity
- Install a second solar centrifugal pump for his vegetable garden
- Train his sons in solar system maintenance and management
Broader Implications for Nigeria
Ibrahim's experience demonstrates how solar centrifugal water pump technology can address critical challenges in Nigerian agriculture. With abundant sunlight across most regions and growing concerns about fuel availability and costs, solar pumping offers a sustainable pathway to enhance food security while reducing operational expenses and environmental impact.
Flowatt 750W surface centrifugal water pump (FLW-CPM21/14-D72/750) is a high-efficiency solar-powered pump system designed for high-flow water transfer applications. Equipped with a permanent magnet brushless DC motor and a 32-bit FOC sine wave controller, it delivers a maximum flow rate of 21,000 liters per hour, a maximum head of 14 meters, and a suction lift of 8 meters, making it suitable for medium to large-scale water delivery tasks such as agricultural irrigation, livestock watering, and pond circulation.
