Gujarat makers build solar submersible pumps for boreholes, solar openwell and surface pumps, and the controllers that drive them from a solar array. Both AC induction motors and DC brushless or permanent-magnet motors are common.
Most makers supply the pump and controller as a matched set. The solar panels and mounting structure may come from the same supplier or from a separate source.
Why India has a strong solar pump base
India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy launched the PM-KUSUM scheme in 2019, which includes support for standalone solar pumps for farmers. The scheme pushed many pump makers to develop solar ranges and controllers that meet published technical specifications.
Gujarat's pump makers were well placed to join this segment, because they already built the submersible pumps and motors that solar systems use.
The scheme's targets and deadlines have changed over time. Check the MNRE website for its current status rather than relying on older reports. For an importer, the useful point is that many Indian makers now have tested solar designs and field experience.
The main configurations
- Solar borewell submersibles with AC motors, driven by a controller that works like a solar VFD.
- Solar borewell submersibles with DC brushless or permanent-magnet motors, which can be more efficient at small ratings.
- Solar openwell submersibles for wells and farm tanks.
- Solar surface pumps, usually monoblock, for shallow sources and transfer.
- Hybrid controllers that can run from the solar array or from grid or generator power.
How a solar pump system works
The array produces DC power that rises and falls with sunlight. The controller tracks the array's maximum power point and varies motor speed, so the pump delivers more water at midday and less in the morning and evening. Most systems pump into a storage tank instead of using batteries.
Sizing is therefore about daily water volume, not instantaneous flow. You need the total head, the daily volume and the solar resource at the site. The maker then matches pump, motor, controller and array.
Ask the maker to show its sizing method. A good one will ask about your site's sunshine hours and season, not just the pump rating, and will explain how output falls on cloudy days.
What to check before ordering
- The controller's protection features: dry run, overload, over-voltage and low-light shutdown.
- Whether the controller suits your array voltage and panel type.
- Daily output tables for your head and solar conditions, not just peak flow.
- The motor type, and whether local technicians can repair a permanent-magnet motor.
- Certifications your market needs for the controller, such as EMC and electrical safety.
The controller is the part most likely to fail and the hardest to replace locally, so stock spare controllers. Our article on VFDs with pumps explains the drive side.
Next step
We find makers with field-proven solar designs, check controller documents and test pumps with the controller before loading. Book a free sourcing review.