A course on Solar Water Pumping Systems (Borehole Focus) is designed to equip engineers, technicians, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) professionals with the technical skills to design, install, and maintain solar-powered borehole infrastructure. These courses typically focus on off-grid communities and agricultural applications where traditional power is unavailable or too expensive.
Primary Goal: To provide a comprehensive understanding of how to transition from traditional diesel or manual pumping to sustainable, climate-resilient solar solutions.
Key Learning Outcomes:
Assess borehole suitability and water demand.
Design a solar PV array based on required "total dynamic head" and flow rate.
Select appropriate submersible pumps
Implement operation and maintenance (O&M) plans to ensure long-term sustainability.
Technical Foundations: Understand the principles of solar energy, photovoltaic (PV) fundamentals, and electrical circuit configurations.
Site Assessment: Conduct feasibility studies, evaluate solar resources, and perform borehole diagnostics to determine groundwater availability.
System Design & Sizing: Master the calculation of water demand and Total Dynamic Head (TDH) to accurately size PV arrays, controllers, and submersible pumps.
Installation & Commissioning: Learn systematic procedures for mounting panels, wiring submersible cables, and conducting safety and performance tests.
Operation & Maintenance (O&M): Develop skills for preventive maintenance, troubleshooting common faults, and establishing long-term sustainability plans for remote systems.
Economic Evaluation: Apply life-cycle cost analysis to compare solar solutions against traditional diesel or grid-based system
A mix of interactive lectures, software-based simulations and hands-on practical installation sessions
A course in solar water pumping systems is generally designed for a wide range of professionals, from technical installers to high-level project managers. It is especially valuable for those working in the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), agriculture, and renewable energy sectors
Basic Electricity: Concepts of voltage, current, resistance, DC/AC power, and energy losses.
The Solar Resource: Understanding solar irradiance, irradiation, peak sun hours, and standard test conditions (STC).
PV Technology: Differences between mono-crystalline and poly-crystalline cells, I-V curves, and impacts of temperature on module performance.
Physics of Water: Definitions of pressure, flow rate, velocity, and total dynamic head (TDH).
Borehole Diagnostics: Well diameter, water levels (static vs. dynamic), and water quality requirements (pH, sand/mud handling).
Pump Mechanics: Types of pumps (submersible vs. surface, centrifugal vs. positive displacement) and pump efficiency curves.
Demand Assessment: Calculating daily water needs for domestic use, livestock, or irrigation.
System Dimensioning: Hand calculations and software-based tools for sizing the solar array and storage tank capacity.
Component Selection: Matching pump controllers, inverters, and MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) units to system requirements.
Pump Installation: Positioning the pump (typically 1m below the dynamic level), pipe material selection, and secure lifting methods.
Electrical Wiring: Cable management, grounding, and lightning protection.
Testing: Pre-start checks, dry-run protection, and verification of system performance.
Preventive Maintenance: Routine cleaning, electrical connection checks, and borehole health monitoring.
Troubleshooting: Common failure types and basic repair techniques.
Financial Analysis: Calculating life-cycle costs, payback periods, and Net Present Value (NPV).
After successfully completing this training course, participants will be awarded Biowatt Institution Certificate of Completion accredited by Botswana Qualification Authority — a respected validation of their dedication to continuous learning and professional excellence. This certificate signifies that participants have gained the essential knowledge and skills required to make a measurable impact in their field.
Upon successful completion of the training course, you will receive The Energy Training Centre Certificate of Completion with corresponding learning hours.
There are two convenient options to register for a training course:
Online Registration Form – Register for your desired training course by completing the online registration form available on our website. Simple click on the registration button or select your preferred dates and provide the requested information.
Email Registration – You can email us your intention to register at info@biowattinstitution.africa. Our team will guide you through the registration process and provide assistance you may need.