Vol. 11, Special Issue 12 (2022)

The Konkan region is characterized as high rainfall and hilly region and receives annual average rainfall ranging from 2500 to 4000 mm. Region receives solar energy for 8-9 months (Sept- May) in a year with average sunshine hour’s ranges between 6.5 to 7.5 hrs/day. The Konkan region is a hilly area with varied topography due to which farmers have less land holdings, and variation in cropping pattern. The overall about 47.67% area is under cultivation out of total geographical area. Out of total cultivated area only 5.76% area is under irrigation during Summer and Rabi season. The 67.88% farmers belongs to the marginal farmers having land holding is less than one hectare to target the group of farmers the solar powered irrigation system was designed to fulfil the irrigation requirement of one hectare land holding of five district. The peak water requirement with combination of crop excluding paddy crop for one hectare area of five district was estimated as, 27 to 38 m³ per day. The maximum energy and water horse power required to discharge the required amount of water was found to be of 1.7 kWh/day and pump horse power was less than 2 horse power. It was also observed that the farmers in Konkan region was not operate the pump to their full capacity due low land holdings. The pump was operate daily less than 3 hours to meet their water requirement. The SPV pump system can be generate excess energy about 4.5 to 5.5 kWh/day. The generated excess energy could be used to agriculture field operation by identifying the appropriate machinery.