*2.6. Solar MajiPump and Its Applicability*

In this study, two types (i.e., MP400 and MP200) of submersible brushless DC motor MajiPumps were used. Both MP400 (1.8 kg of mass) and MP200 (1.5 kg of mass) pumps have similar looks from the outside (Figure 4a). The basic difference between the two pumps is the water-lifting capacity; MP400 could lift to 25 m discharge head using a 160 W (24 VDC) panel whereas the MP200 pump could lift to 10 m using an 80 W (12 VDC) panel. Both pumps could deliver 34 L/min flow rate for open flow. Two types of solar panels were used for the MP400 pump (monocrystalline 200 W rigid panel and two flexible panels of 200 W connected in series), and a monocrystalline 150 W rigid panel was used for the MP200 pump. The monocrystalline 200 W rigid panel is 1.58 m by 0.85 m in size with 12.7 kg total mass (Figure 4b). Whereas the monocrystalline 150 W rigid panel is 1.48 m by 0.67 m in size with 10.22 kg total mass (Figure 4d). The thin film (amorous) flexible 100 W solar panel (Figure 4d) is 1.05 m by 0.54 m size and 1.4 kg of mass each.


**Table 1.** Crop rotation and management activities at Affesa and Alefa experimental sites.

Note <sup>1</sup> Only for CT plots; <sup>2</sup> only for CA plots; <sup>3</sup> Fertilizer; <sup>4</sup> Pesticide.

**Figure 4.** Pictures; (**a**) MajiPump, (**b**) 200 W rigid solar panel, (**c**) 150 W rigid solar panel, (**d**) 2 × 100 W flexible solar panel, and (**e**) solar meter. The 200 W rigid and 2 × 100 W flexible panels were connected in series with MP400 pumps, whereas the 150 W panel was connected with an MP200 pump.

The MajiPumps were tested using the different panels for their discharge head and flow rate capacity. Digital Tenmars TM-207 (Figure 4e) solar power meter (0.1 W/m2 resolution) was used to measure solar intensity. The MP400 and MP200 pumps were immersed in the water after a <sup>3</sup> <sup>4</sup> inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe was fitted and a digital stopwatch was used to record the time taken for a specific volume of water. The analog water meter was used to measure flow volume at different discharge head. A tape measure was used to measure water level depth (head) where the pump is installed. When the solar panel and pump setup, a connection cable was used to connect the pump with the panel and supply power. At this instant, where the pump starts to run, both the water meter and stopwatch start recording. The pump runs until the amount of water yield reaches 100L and the flow rate was determined (L/S). The maximum discharge head and flow rate were considered as the capacity of the pumps (MP400 and MP200). At the experimental sites (Alefa and Affesa), groundwater depth from the surface was monitored throughout the year to compare it with the MajiPumps discharge head capacity and determine the applicability of pumps in the study area.
