Author(s)

Gasore Geoffrey¹, Munyaneza Jean de Dieu², Ngendabanga Jean Pierre², Twibanire Aimable²

¹Electrical and Electronics Department, University of Rwanda-College of Science and Technology, Kigali, Rwanda.
²Alternative Energy Department, Tumba College of Technology, Rulindo, Rwanda.

In Rwanda, agricultural industry depends on seasonal rain, and this has been a great challenge to agriculture in Rwanda. The designed sample of Photovoltaic pumping system is for irrigation on a piece of land, with 100 m2 field fed by underground water tank of 8 meters of elevation collected during rainy seasons. The adapted 100 m2 field is based on the fact that Rwanda is a densely populated country, also is adapted to be used especially in horticulture to increase exportation. In this system, a photovoltaic system is used as a power source; a pump is coupled with electric motor to drive it and hosepipe to convey water to the storage tank. A sensor is used to send a signal to the driver section at the same time sending a signal to the microcontroller that controls the driver unit and the corresponding relay, which switches off the motor when the water level reaches the lowest level.

Photovoltaic Water Pump, Irrigation, Automatic Control System

Geoffrey, G. , Dieu, M. , Pierre, N. and Aimable, T. (2015) Design of Automatic Irrigation System for Small Farmers in Rwanda. Agricultural Sciences, 6, 291-294. doi: 10.4236/as.2015.63029.