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XIMA S-Series Solar Pump Drives: Solar-Powered Water Pump Control

The XIMA S-Series Solar Pump Drive is a range of variable frequency drives (VFDs) specifically designed to operate and control electric water pumps using solar energy. By drawing power directly from photovoltaic (PV) panels, these drives enable battery-free water pumping in agricultural wells, irrigation systems, water transfer applications and remote locations with limited access to the electrical grid.

The S-Series solar pump inverter supports DC power from solar PV arrays, incorporates Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) functions and allows a compatible AC supply from the utility grid or a generator to be used as an alternative power source.

The range comprises 14 models rated from 1.5 kW to 55 kW, covering different motor capacities and electrical requirements. This range enables engineers and system designers to select a suitable solar pump drive according to the motor specifications, pumping requirements and available solar energy.

What Is a Solar Pump Drive and How Does It Work?

In a solar water pumping system, photovoltaic panels convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. AC electric motors, however, require an alternating-current supply with appropriate voltage and frequency characteristics.

A solar pump drive provides the necessary power conversion and motor control between the PV array and the electric water pump.

The drive converts DC power into a controlled AC output and regulates the motor’s operating voltage and frequency. This allows motor speed, and consequently pump performance, to respond to changes in the available electrical power.

The basic energy flow is:

Solar PV Panels → DC Protection Equipment → Solar Pump Drive → Electric Motor → Water Pump

Throughout the day, variations in solar irradiance and panel temperature affect the electrical power available from the PV array. A dedicated solar pump inverter manages these changing input conditions while adjusting motor operation to suit the energy available.

However, reducing motor speed does not necessarily mean that water delivery will continue at a lower rate.

In centrifugal pumps, a reduction in rotational speed also reduces the head the pump can develop. If the available pump head falls below the total head required by the system, water flow may decrease significantly or stop altogether.

For this reason, proper solar pumping system design requires the combined assessment of electrical power, pump hydraulic characteristics and site-specific solar conditions.

Key Technical Features of XIMA S-Series Solar Pump Drives

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)

The electrical output of a solar PV array varies throughout the day. Changes in sunlight intensity, solar cell temperature and environmental conditions affect the voltage and power available from the panels.

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is used to identify a suitable operating point at which the PV array can deliver its available power.

The XIMA S-Series includes dedicated MPPT-related parameters, including maximum power point voltage settings, automatic MPP search functions and voltage reference adjustments.

These functions allow the drive to manage its input operating conditions according to the characteristics of the connected solar array.

MPPT operation does not, however, guarantee constant pump speed or a fixed water flow rate under changing sunlight conditions.

During system design, the drive’s allowable DC input voltage range must be matched to the electrical characteristics of the PV modules and their series-parallel configuration.

Battery-Free Solar Water Pumping

One of the main features of the XIMA S-Series is the ability to operate a water pump directly from solar energy without requiring battery storage.

In this configuration, electricity generated by the PV array is used to power the motor during periods of sufficient sunlight.

Instead of storing electrical energy in batteries, the system can store pumped water in a suitably sized reservoir or storage tank.

This approach is particularly relevant to agricultural and water supply applications where pumping schedules are flexible and water can be stored for use outside daylight hours.

Daily pumping duration, total water delivery and performance during low-irradiance periods depend on the PV array capacity, geographical conditions and pump characteristics.

AC and DC Power Supply Compatibility

XIMA S-Series solar pump drives are designed to operate with a DC solar PV array while also allowing a compatible utility AC supply or generator to serve as an alternative power source.

This capability is particularly relevant to water pumping systems that must operate beyond daylight hours.

An alternative power source can be incorporated into the system design to support pumping during periods of insufficient sunlight or at night.

However, accepting different power sources does not necessarily mean that they can be connected simultaneously or switched automatically without suitable equipment and configuration.

Power source selection, switching circuits and electrical protection must follow the manufacturer’s installation requirements and the electrical design of the system.

Dry-Run Protection

Dry running is a significant operating risk in water pumping systems. It may occur when the water level in a well drops, the suction supply becomes inadequate or hydraulic conditions change.

The XIMA S-Series includes a Dry Pump Detection function.

This function uses operating parameters such as motor frequency and power consumption to identify conditions that may indicate insufficient water supply.

When properly enabled and configured, the drive can detect a potential dry-running condition and respond according to the selected protection settings.

The available parameters include detection time, stopping delay, restart interval and the permitted number of restart attempts.

Effective operation depends on selecting appropriate thresholds for the actual pump and hydraulic system. Drive-based dry-run detection should not be treated as a substitute for every other protective device required by the installation.

Water Tank Level Control

Water level monitoring is important in systems that transfer water from wells or other sources into storage tanks.

The S-Series supports control functions associated with float switches and tank level sensors.

These functions can be configured to detect a full tank, establish restart thresholds and introduce time delays that prevent unnecessary switching in response to brief signal fluctuations.

Sensor selection, wiring and control parameters must be compatible with the installation and the drive’s technical documentation.

XIMA S-Series Solar Pump Drive Models

The XIMA S-Series comprises 14 solar pump drive models ranging from 1.5 kW to 55 kW. The product range is organised into four groups: S100, S200, S300D and S300E.

These groups cover different motor power ratings and drive sizes, allowing an appropriate model to be evaluated for a particular solar pumping application.

• S100 Series: Includes five models rated at 1.5, 2.2, 3, 4 and 5.5 kW. The corresponding model codes are S100B015-1, S100B022-1, S100B030-1, S100B040-3 and S100B055-3.
• S200 Series: Covers three power ratings of 7.5, 11 and 15 kW, with model codes S200C075-3, S200C110-3 and S200C150-3.
• S300D Series: Includes 18.5, 22 and 30 kW models, identified as S300D185-3, S300D220-3 and S300D300-3.
• S300E Series: Covers the higher power ratings of 37, 45 and 55 kW, with model codes S300E370-3, S300E450-3 and S300E550-3.

Selecting a suitable model involves more than matching the nominal motor power.

Rated drive output current, motor voltage, DC input voltage range, PV array specifications and pump hydraulic characteristics must also be considered to ensure compatibility with the intended pumping system.

Understanding the 220 V and 380 V Voltage Classes

The XIMA S-Series product range includes models with 220 V and 380 V AC input classes.

Models designed for a single-phase 220 V AC input provide a three-phase 220 V motor output. Therefore, the term single-phase in a model description does not necessarily indicate compatibility with a single-phase motor.

For models in the 380 V class, the input and output electrical specifications must be checked against the motor nameplate and the installation’s electrical configuration.

In both voltage classes, the AC input voltage rating is different from the permissible DC input voltage range of the solar PV array.

These two specifications must be evaluated separately.

Detailed information about rated currents, enclosure dimensions and electrical characteristics is available in the XIMA S-Series Technical Overview.

Applications of Solar Pump Inverters in Agriculture and Water Management

Agricultural Well Water Pumping

Solar pump drives can be used to operate compatible electric pumps in agricultural wells where grid electricity is unavailable or its supply is limited.

Selecting a suitable drive for a well pumping system requires more than knowing the physical depth of the well.

The dynamic water level, elevation difference between the water source and delivery point, pipeline friction losses and required flow rate must all be considered when determining the total dynamic head (TDH).

For deep wells and high-head applications, the ability of the pump to overcome the required system head during periods of reduced solar power is particularly important.

Irrigation of Orchards and Agricultural Fields

Solar-powered pumping can be used to transfer water from wells, reservoirs or other water sources to storage tanks and irrigation networks.

System performance depends on the irrigation method, daily water requirements, operating pressure and irrigation schedule.

In irrigation systems requiring relatively stable pressure, the hydraulic design and any necessary storage or pressure regulation equipment must be considered separately.

Variations in solar power can affect the pump’s available flow rate and discharge pressure.

Livestock Water Supply

In livestock facilities, a solar pump drive can form part of a system that transfers water from a well or another source to a storage reservoir.

For these applications, sizing the storage tank and estimating water demand during periods without sufficient sunlight are important parts of system design.

Water Transfer in Remote Locations

Solar pump drives can be used in water transfer systems serving remote agricultural facilities, storage reservoirs and locations where installing a conventional electrical supply is difficult.

The design must consider transfer distance, elevation changes, pipeline diameter and hydraulic losses alongside the electrical characteristics of the motor and solar array.

Solar Pump Drives vs. Conventional Solar Inverters

The term solar inverter covers several types of power conversion equipment, but not all solar inverters serve the same purpose.

Grid-tied, off-grid and hybrid solar inverters are generally designed to supply AC electricity to electrical loads, manage stored energy or exchange power with the utility grid.

A solar pump inverter, on the other hand, is a motor control drive specifically designed to operate an electric water pump.

Its output voltage and frequency are controlled according to the motor requirements and the available electrical power.

It is also important to distinguish a solar water pump from a solar pump drive.

The term solar water pump may refer to the pump itself or a complete solar pumping system, whereas the XIMA S-Series drive is the motor control component within such a system.

The S-Series should not be regarded as a general-purpose solar inverter for supplying buildings or unrelated electrical equipment.

Solar Pump Drives vs. Conventional Pump VFDs

Conventional pump variable frequency drives are typically supplied from an AC electrical source and are used to regulate electric pumps in water supply and industrial pumping systems.

In the S-Series, motor control is combined with the management of electrical power received from a solar PV array.

The drive must therefore account for changes in available solar energy as well as the electrical and mechanical requirements of the pump.

The available power source and intended operating conditions are key factors when evaluating a solar pump drive against a conventional pump VFD.

Engineering Considerations for Selecting a Solar Pump Drive

Selecting a suitable solar pump drive begins with the motor’s rated power, but a complete assessment requires several additional technical considerations.

Electric Motor Specifications

The motor’s rated power in kilowatts, rated voltage, full-load current, winding configuration and operating conditions provide the basis for evaluating drive compatibility.

The drive’s rated output current must be suitable for the motor’s electrical requirements.

Matching the nominal power ratings of the motor and drive is not sufficient without checking current and voltage compatibility.

Pump Hydraulic Requirements

Total dynamic head (TDH) and the required flow rate establish the intended operating point of the pump.

In a solar-powered system, it is necessary to determine whether the pump can deliver the required head and flow within the speed range achievable using the available solar energy.

For centrifugal pumps, a reduction in rotational speed can significantly reduce the available pump head.

This is particularly important for deep wells and water transfer systems with substantial elevation differences.

Solar PV Array Capacity and Configuration

The total rated power of the PV modules is only one aspect of array design.

The electrical operating range of the PV array must also remain within the drive’s permissible DC input conditions.

Important parameters include:

• Open-circuit voltage (Voc): The voltage produced by a PV module when no electrical load is connected.
• Maximum power point voltage (Vmp): The voltage at which the PV module produces its rated maximum power under specified test conditions.
• Maximum power point current (Imp): The current corresponding to the module’s maximum power point.
• Series and parallel configuration: The number of modules connected in each string and the number of parallel strings.
• Temperature-related voltage variations: Changes in PV voltage resulting from solar cell temperature.
• Site conditions: Solar irradiance, shading, panel orientation and surface contamination.

The number and arrangement of PV modules must be determined with reference to the required operating power, maximum allowable DC voltage and MPPT operating range of the selected drive.

Daily Operating Hours and Water Demand

In a battery-free solar pumping system, the available electrical power changes throughout the day.

The system should therefore be designed using the solar energy realistically available at the installation site and the volume of water that must be delivered.

For many agricultural applications, a suitably sized water storage tank allows pumping to take place during periods of available sunlight while water is consumed at other times.

Where water delivery is required at fixed times, alternative power sources or adequate stored water capacity should be incorporated into the initial system design.

Installation and Operating Requirements

XIMA S-Series drives contain power electronic components and must be installed and commissioned by qualified personnel.

The manufacturer’s technical specifications identify the drive enclosure protection rating as IP20.

Consequently, installations exposed to moisture, dust, water spray or other environmental hazards require an appropriately rated electrical enclosure.

Cabinet ventilation, installation clearances, input protection, protective earthing and suitable cable sizing are essential considerations in the electrical design.

In systems using submersible pumps with long motor cables, the potential effects of cable length on the drive output should also be assessed, including whether suitable output filtering or additional protective measures are necessary.

Commissioning involves configuring motor parameters, solar power input settings, start and stop conditions, restart behaviour and pump protection functions.

For installation procedures, wiring information, MPPT settings, tank level control and dry-run protection parameters, refer to the S-Series documentation listed in the XIMA Technical Documentation Centre.

Before applying any settings, verify that the document revision is applicable to the installed drive model and firmware version.

Frequently Asked Questions About XIMA Solar Pump Drives

Can the XIMA S-Series operate without batteries?

Yes. The S-Series is designed to operate compatible electric water pumps directly from solar PV panels without requiring battery storage.

The power available to the motor and the resulting pump performance depend on the solar energy available at any given time.

Can an S-Series solar pump drive operate at night?

Yes, provided that a compatible alternative AC power source, such as the utility grid or a generator, is available and the electrical system has been designed accordingly.

Without a suitable alternative power source, a battery-free solar pumping system cannot continue operating after solar power becomes insufficient.

Is the XIMA S-Series suitable for submersible pumps?

The S-Series can be evaluated for use with compatible submersible pump motors.

Drive selection must take into account motor voltage and current, pump head and flow requirements, motor cable length and operating conditions.

Can an S-Series drive operate a single-phase motor?

Not necessarily.

Some S-Series models have a single-phase 220 V AC input but provide a three-phase 220 V motor output.

Therefore, the number of input supply phases should not be confused with the motor output configuration. Motor compatibility must be checked against the selected drive’s output specifications.

Does MPPT maintain a constant water flow rate throughout the day?

No.

MPPT is used to manage the electrical operating point of the PV array, but the available solar energy still changes with sunlight conditions.

The pump flow rate depends on the available electrical power, motor speed and hydraulic characteristics of the pumping system.

Does the S-Series support dry-run detection and tank level control?

Yes.

The S-Series includes functions for detecting potential dry-running conditions and monitoring water tank levels.

These functions must be enabled and configured using parameters appropriate to the actual pump, sensors and installation conditions.

Conclusion

The XIMA S-Series Solar Pump Drive is designed for controlling electric motors in solar-powered water pumping applications.

Its main technical functions include operation from solar DC power, compatibility with an alternative AC supply, MPPT-related control parameters and protection functions intended for water pumping systems.

With 14 models covering motor power ratings from 1.5 kW to 55 kW, the S-Series provides a range of drive configurations for different pumping requirements.

However, selecting a suitable drive requires more than matching nominal power ratings. Motor current and voltage, PV array capacity, total dynamic head, required flow rate and expected operating conditions must all be considered together.

For technical clarification or to assess the compatibility of an S-Series drive with a specific motor and solar pumping installation, project specifications can be shared through XIMA’s technical contact page.