Our Expertise

H2O Oasis a non-government entity 501(c) (3) uses solar powered energy to provide clean water for domestic, hospitals, institutions and drip irrigation to rural African villages targeting 20,000,000 people in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Togo, and USA and soon in Kenya and Uganda. H2O Oasis exists to supply a minimum level of safe drinking-water and solar energy for survival. We envision a world with sufficient solar energy and safe drinking water.

DESCRIPTION OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTIC (PV) MODULES/PANELS

Photovoltaic (PV) cells are made of semi-conducting materials similar to those used in computer chips. When these materials absorb sunlight, the solar energy releases electrons from their atoms, allowing the electrons to flow through the material to produce electricity. This process of converting light (photons) to electricity (voltage) is called the photovoltaic effect. PV cells are typically combined into modules that hold many cells; two or more of these modules are mounted in PV arrays that can measure up to several meters on a side. These flat-plate PV arrays can be mounted at a fixed angle facing north, or they can be mounted on a tracking device that follows the sun, allowing them to capture the most sunlight over the course of a day. About 2 to 3 PV arrays can provide enough power to run a borehole pump; and even more for a large electric utility or industrial application.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

  • PV Modules supply electricity to inverter
  • The inverter converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) to drive pump according to the intensity of sunshine (in East Africa it is 7-9 hours of sunshine).

 LOCATING GROUNDWATER USING SCIENTIFIC METHODS

Ground water is simply the subsurface water that fully saturates pores or cracks in soils and rocks. Ground water moves as part of the hydrologic cycle, the endless circulation of water from the atmosphere onto the surface and into the subsurface regions of the earth and then back from the surface to the atmosphere. Ground water circulates back to the surface in this way, and, from the surface, water returns to the atmosphere through evaporation and transpiration (plant respiration).

Useful quantities of water when tapped by a well or as discharge via a spring can be found in an aquifer (an underground formation of permeable rock or loose material). There are confined (reached through drilling through the rock) and unconfined (nearer the surface) aquifers. Much as water is never found in a pure state in nature thus prone to contamination, unconfined aquifers are more susceptible to contamination than confined aquifers that are sealed off from surface contaminants. The eventual quality of the ground water depends on the kinds of rock and soil formations through which it flows. Thus, ground water in some areas may be too salty or contain too much bicarbonate of soda for domestic, hospital use or irrigation. Iron content can be very high in some settings, which usually does not render the water unusable, but it can be a nuisance because of rust staining of plumbing fixtures and an undesirable taste and smell.

When evaluating water-well potential in order to locate groundwater accurately and to determine the depth, quantity, and quality of the water, several techniques must be used. The following could be considered when evaluating the potential for water well on a particular piece of property:

  • Specific location of the property on a county, topographic, or geologic map;
  • Determine what wells have been drilled in your area, to what depths, and with what results. This will usually indicate what you can expect to encounter on your property, although results can vary widely in some areas;
  • Geologic maps, topographic maps, and aquifer maps can provide information of varying utility. Geologic maps show the distribution of rock formations exposed at the surface, and thus indicate the nature and types of consolidated or unconsolidated materials in an area. The type of geologic materials and the topography of the earth’s surface in an area influence the location of ground water. Assessing these characteristics can help determine the potential of a specific area to yield water to wells. Topographic maps, which show contours of surface elevations, provide information on the size, shape, and distribution of features on the land surface, as well as the location of lakes, swamps, springs, streams, and important cultural information such as buildings, railways, and highways. They are useful for locating properties and for plotting wells by hand, if so desired;
  • Talking to neighbors. Many wells exist for which no paper records have been submitted, especially older wells, and the only information available may be from the owners. Even if a record does exist, the owner may be able to provide a history of the well’s production;
  • Finally, be sure to check with local and State regulatory agencies for permitting and construction regulations.

SOLAR POWERED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

The solar panels make up most (up to 80%) of the systems cost. The size of the PV-system is directly dependent on the size of the pump, the amount of water that is required (m³/d) and the solar radiance available. Voltage of the solar pump motors can be AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current). Direct current motors are used for small to medium applications up to about 3 kW rating, and are suitable for applications such as garden fountains, landscaping, drinking water for livestock, or small irrigation projects. Since DC systems tend to have overall higher efficiency levels than AC pumps of a similar size, the costs are reduced as smaller solar panels can be used.

Solar powered water pumps can deliver drinking water as well as water for hospitals, schools and livestock or irrigation purposes. Large volumes of water in turn require a large solar PV array. Solar PV water pumping systems may be fitted with a 2000 watt – 3,700 watt motor that receives energy from a 4,800 Wp PV array. The 5hp systems can deliver about 124,000 litres of water/day from a total of 50 meters setoff head and 70 meters dynamic head.

Finally, if an alternating current solar pump is used, an inverter is necessary that changes the direct current from the solar panels into alternating current for the pump. The supported power range of inverters extends from 0.15 to 55 kW and can be used for larger water supply systems. However, the panel and inverters must be sized accordingly to accommodate the inrush characteristic of an AC motor.

BENEFITS OF SOLAR POWERED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM

  • Auto operation, labour free;
  • Suitable to all kinds of pumps including 3 phase AC pumps, single phase AC pumps and DC pumps;
  • Wide range of input voltage, suitable for different international advanced components, safe and reliable;
  • Solar and mains power hybrid, 24 hours operation, remote control and monitor customized solutions;
  • Maximum daily water supply is 400m3 each 5.5Kwh/m3 per day;
  • Gravity fed system with uniform flow and even distribution of water;
  • High clogging resistance