Energy and exergy analysis of a solar-powered irrigation pumping facility

This study aims to evaluate the energy and exergy efficiency of an irrigation pumping plant operated with electrical energy generated by panels using an independent PV system in water pumping application. The research was carried out in an irrigation pumping plant established within the boundaries of the production farm of Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Agriculture. The research data were collected by measuring 12 hours per day for a total of 12 months between April 2023 and March 2024. The 12-hour data collected on a daily basis were divided into three equal time intervals (08:00-11:00, 12:00-15:00, 16:00-19:00) and compared. The first and second laws of thermodynamics were used to perform solar exergy, energy and exergy efficiency analyses of the PV system. The study shows that the most important factor in obtaining energy by utilizing PV systems is solar radiation. In addition, the analysis results show that the ambient temperature and wind speed factors of the region where the PV system is located have an effect at least as much as the solar radiation. In this context, if a PV system-supported energy source will be used, the study recommends that the average solar radiation value, ambient temperature and average wind speed values of the region where the PV system will be installed should be examined in advance. While PV system-supported irrigation pumping studies have become so widespread in agricultural irrigation activities in today's conditions, this research contributes to the public or private entrepreneurs who will invest in these applications in terms of facility installation and operating costs and sustainability. Keywords: Electrical exergy, Thermal exergy, PV exergy, Solar exergy models, Energy efficiency