In a world where the challenges of greenhouse gas emissions and preservation of the environment are ever more significant, and in which the challenges of access to water resources require sustainable and efficient solutions, Action Against Hunger recommends solar pumping approaches to its Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL) project managers and project coordinators to consider solar pumping approaches.

Easy to design, environmentally friendly, affordable to invest in and very low cost to operate, solar solutions have many
programmatic advantages, and increasingly attracts actors from the humanitarian world, communities of users as well as
donors. This guide will help you design your solar pumping projects.

As you go through these guidelines you will learn that it is not necessary to provide too many technical details in quotations.
However, it is necessary to specify the expected outcomes of your solar pumping system, including:
• the required quantity of water to be pumped per day,
• at which height (total head),
• with the option of connecting to a power generator,
• addressing safety with a protective box including fuse, surge arrester, disconnect button, a low level detection probe inside the borehole, and grounding,
• With options if applicable (quality of solar panel support, remote reading of water level, backup power generator …).

Using the simplified calculation formulas, you will be able to verify the sizing of the system as proposed by the
supplier(s), and ascertain whether the number of panels, the power of the pump and the power of the generator set are
correct.

Upon completion of the works, you will receive the pumping system using the attached form, and request the
necessary modifications to ensure that the system is fully in line with your expectations.

You will finally complete the training to the users, or the installer will do it. The management committee of the pumping site
will be responsible for the newly created pump system. Users need to know maintenance operations to be performed and
who to contact in case of failure or need for spare parts.

Solar energy is a tremendous asset in enabling project beneficiaries to have reliable access to water with minimal operating costs, but only provided that the pumping system is safe and equipped with quality components, ensuring the sustainability of new facilities.

Available in French, Spanish, and English.