DESIGN OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC PUMPING IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN THE COMMUNE OF KOMSILGA, BURKINA FASO

The objective of this study is to design an optimal photovoltaic (PV) pumping irrigation system for agricultural production. The selected site is located in the municipality of Komsilga, Burkina Faso. The field to be irrigated covers an area of 51,116.3 m².  Based on a reference evapotranspiration of 6.5 mm/day, representing the worst-case scenario, a total daily water requirement of 318 m³ was established. Three boreholes were drilled to meet this daily water demand. A water tower with a capacity of 106 m³ was constructed for each borehole. A preliminary study estimated the borehole depth at 60 m with a diameter of 50 cm. A total dynamic head (TDH) of 165 m was determined through simulation using PVsyst software. For practical and techno-economic reasons, we opted for a "run-of-sun" photovoltaic pumping system. To optimize pumping, we used crop coefficients corresponding to the mid-season growth stage and selected the potential evapotranspiration rate for March, 6.5 L/m²/day, as the design basis. Three three-phase electric pumps, each with a power rating of 16 kW and a nominal voltage of 400 V, were sized and selected for this application. They will operate from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with peak pumping occurring at 12:00 PM. Subsequently, the photovoltaic solar array was sized. To meet the requirements, a PV array consisting of 162 monocrystalline silicon modules, capable of delivering a peak power of 81 kWp, was selected based on sizing calculations. To power the AC electric pumps, three 40 kVA inverters were sized and chosen.