Design and Analysis of Solar Irrigation Systems for Sustainable Rice Cultivation in Bangladesh

This study presents two solar irrigation system designs for rice cultivation in Bangladesh's Monakasha Bazar region. The first design focuses on a standalone solar pump system, carefully considering technical aspects such as pump types, battery backups, and solar panel capacities. It aims to ensure a consistent water supply throughout the agricultural cycle, taking into account field dimensions, groundwater levels, and irrigation needs. The study evaluates the economic and social sustainability of this approach, emphasizing the environmental benefits of using renewable energy in agriculture. The second design explores a battery-less system and compares its cost-effectiveness to the system with a battery pack. From the analysis the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for the system with a battery pack is 21.92 BDT/kWh, enabling irrigation even in low solar irradiance. On the other hand, the design without a battery significantly reduces LCOE to 6.41 BDT/kWh, making it a cost-efficient option, especially due to lower water evaporation on cloudy days. The study aims to contribute to sustainable agriculture by offering scalable models that enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impact.