9 Best Solar Powered Water Pumps On The Market Today

The solar powered water pump is a modern technology that’s exploding in popularity.

And why not – solar water pumps solve an age-old problem – moving water without grid power.

These devices allow folks to live and farm in remote locations. Places previously inhabitable due to the distance and cost to connect to the grid.

Solar power is one technology that actually helps make society more resilient and less fragile.

Solar provides more personal freedoms, liberties, and independence.

That’s why it’s time to embrace and support the solar revolution. And solar power water pumps are a wise way to get started.

So today, I’m going to share everything I know about solar powered water pumps. My goal is to help you choose the BEST solar water pump for your needs.

**Note: If you just want to know our top brands, feel free to SKIP AHEAD HERE.

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Solar Water Pump On A Remote Pond

WHAT EXACTLY IS A SOLAR POWERED PUMP ANYWAY?

Honestly, the name explains it all. But we still need to get into what exactly a solar pump is and why you need one.

We all know, when you need to get water out of the ground, it takes a pump.

Solar powered pumps are essentially just pumps that generate power by using photovoltaic panels.

These panels capture the sun’s renewable energy and convert it into either:

Direct current (DC) or
Alternating current (AC) using an inverter

This power then rotates the motor to produce the pumping action. And the radiated thermal energy from the sun is free and abundant (when the sun is shining).

Hence, a solar panel water pump runs independently of grid or diesel power. And that’s a BIG DEAL in a remote location.

Now, most solar power pump kits have several parts, including:

Solar panel
Charge controller
Water pump
Water storage tank
Fuse box

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cows drinking with sun energy pannels for heating

BEST USES AND BENEFITS OF A SOLAR WATER PUMP

Your survival skillset should include way more than just combat and medical training. It also should consist of your ability to supply your family with food and water.

Here on Earth, historically, we’ve had an abundance of water. It seems like that fact may be in jeopardy soon, and we need it to live. If trends continue, things are looking bleak.

Why? Because without it, we’re toast.

Still, for many of us today, accessing water is relatively easy; just turn the tap, and it pours out. You don’t have to think about it in a public system, but it’s a different story in rural areas.

Outside cities, there is no infrastructure, so families dig wells on their properties. That means you have to use a pump to bring the water to the surface.

If you have electricity, then you use an electric pump.

You may have a large homestead or farm connected to the grid where you need water in a remote area on the acreage.

However, for those so remote electric power doesn’t reach, you need a solar powered water pump. Your solar water pumping system will give you access to the water you need.

It can pump water anywhere on Earth where the sun is shining, without external power.

You can extract water from wells, rivers, ponds, and streams, or any other water source you can find.

Then you can:

Farm Anywhere

As long as the sun is shining, you can access water without the worry of electricity.

Even if you have power on your homestead, you may need to pump water to the back 40 without electricity.

Get Off The Grid

Often municipalities add chemicals to tap water. So if you don’t want to drink it or feed it to your plants, you’ll have to:

filter the incoming water exceptionally well
or get off the water grid altogether

Solar pumps can help you leave chlorine and fluoride behind.

Be Portable

It’s easy to relocate a solar powered water pump because it’s not hard-wired. Take it with you from farm to cabin to camping and back.

Keeps Working When The Power Goes Out

You don’t have to worry about a power failure with solar powered water pumps. With the right solar pump and setup, your water will keep flowing.

You can even store power in batteries in case the sun isn’t shining.

Operating a solar powered pump is pretty economical too. Why? Because of its low maintenance and operating costs. And since there’s no internal combustion engine, there’s less environmental impact.

They are clean and quiet and deliver water when you most need it.

If you want some inspiration – check out the excellent video below:

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4 TYPES OF SOLAR WATER PUMPS & PROS/CONS OF EACH

Depending on your needs, solar powered water pumps vary. You can get small units for running a birdbath or a larger unit for farm irrigation.

So let’s cover the 4 main types of solar powered water pumps:

1 – Surface Pump

These solar pumps are ideal for shallow waters found in streams, ponds, or even storage tanks.

The pump will sit out of the water and lift water, providing irrigation pressure. These are useful for moving large quantities of water at slow speeds.

Pros

Work best with large amounts of surface water
They are easy to maintain and move around

Cons

Will not function in deep water

2 – Submersible Pumps

A solar powered submersible water pump can go below the ground level and stay submerged.

They work great in wells, lakes, and rivers, as well as cisterns and tanks.

They’re for continuous OR intermittent operation. And you can use a gravity-fed holding tank to have access to water at night.

Submersible pumps work well for larger applications and are scalable. So they can provide water to farms for crop irrigation and livestock.

Pros

Can maintain water at higher levels for more extensive water needs
Can use multiple pumps to supply farms and buildings

Cons

Installation and maintenance costs are higher

3 – DC Pump

A solar powered DC pump has a motor that runs on direct current, so there are no batteries and no need for an inverter.

This type of pump works well in small to medium applications. They run on smaller solar panels than AC pumps because of their higher efficiency levels.

Pros

Uses half the energy as an AC pump
More cost-effective for deep wells as it doesn’t need large bursts of power.

Cons

They’re usually more expensive than an AC pump

4 – AC Pump

When you use an AC solar powered water pump, you are going to get decreased efficiency. Why? Because the inverter takes direct current produced by the solar panels and converts it to AC.

They’re more complex systems in general. But they’re also more affordable than DC pumps because they’re produced in larger quantities.

Pros

It is less expensive to buy an AC solar pump
Has higher pumping output

Cons

They use more energy because of the inverter

Watch this video to learn more about the pros/cons of AC vs DC solar powered water pumps:

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SOLAR WATER PUMP ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

Operating a water pump using the power of the sun seems like a no-brainer. Why wouldn’t you want to use renewable energy?

Full disclosure; in general, we love off-grid applications for surviving and thriving.

And we want to bring the best solutions to your prepping plan. But ALL equipment has its advantages and disadvantages, so let’s check them out:

Advantages

1. No Fuel Costs

Your solar panel water pump uses available sunlight to power it. All you need are the solar panels, and the energy literally falls out of the sky.

Fuel adds cost to your homestead operation, and you don’t want to be buying fossil fuel all the time.

2. Less Labor

With an automated system, there is no manual irrigation needed. You can hook up a watering system without electricity.

There is also less maintenance, especially with solar surface pumps. You can often fix them with standard tools you already own.

3. Easy On The Environment

A solar water pump produces no pollutants because it uses renewable energy. There is no fuel to transport and spill either.

These pollutants affect not only the air but also your soil. Solar irrigation can solve the problem of dry spells and droughts when rain is scarce.

Solar pumps are the solution to reduce environmental damage to your homestead.

Disadvantages

1. Water Won’t Pump In The Dark

Solar panels are excellent when the sun is shining. Those rays convert into electricity, but not when it’s cloudy or at night.

When the sun isn’t available, it can be a problem, but you can get around this in a few ways.

First, you can store power in batteries. It’s more expensive, and they usually don’t hold a lot of lasting power.

Secondly, you can use a water catchment system. It can be a pond or a water storage tank, but the important thing is to have water stored when you need it.

Plan your water needs around your solar water system’s limitations. A good plan can help minimize or eliminate these problems.

2. It’s Expensive To Get Started

Yes, there are significant upfront costs to set up a solar powered water pump system. You need everything from the pump to the solar panels (and wiring).

In time, it will balance out and become a cheaper way to move water.

When you sit down and put paper to pen, you’ll see how fast a system like this will pay for itself over time.

Fuel costs are rising while solar prices are falling, so it literally pays to use solar powered water well pump.

Again, this solution is a game-changer for off-grid locations.

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Solar Panel & Pump Near Waterway

9 BEST SOLAR POWERED WATER PUMPS ON THE MARKET TODAY

1 – PWS Stainless 316 Solar Water Pump Kit

PWS Stainless 316 Solar Water Pump Kit

This PSW Solar Water Pump Kit is a rugged deep-well solar pump, perfect for your home and farm.

This stainless steel model is ideal for moving a large volume of water. And it’s possible to combine it with batteries for on-demand pumping needs.

And it includes a controller to drive the DC pump motor.

This solar pump setup gives maximum flow under all light conditions. And it also protects the submersible pump from running dry or overheating.

Included in the package is:

the 210watt pump with a 6′ cable
MPPT controller
waterproof wiring
2 water level sensors
there’s also a 20′ cable for solar panel hookup

What you DON’T get is solar panels, and it requires 4 – 100watt panels.

But overall, it’s an excellent solution for both irrigation and off-grid water needs. Plus, they have a 100% guarantee and fast customer service.

2 – Solariver Solar Water Pump Kit

Solariver Solar Water Pump Kit

This solar water pump is great for many applications. You can operate a simple fountain or scale up to water for animal troughs and greenhouses.

Its design makes it easy to use because there are no wiring or connection hassles.

All you have to do is submerge it in water, plug in the solar panels, and the water starts pumping.

The kit includes 2 aluminum-framed, 35-watt solar panels, which you can locate up to16 feet away from the pump.

You can also get an additional 16′ cord for further placement. And there’s 16′ of tubing to give you a max lift of 10′.

BUT it only operates when the sun is out. Water flow is dependent on the amount of sunlight that hits the solar panels. That’s because it doesn’t have any battery backup.

You get a 1-year warranty with a 100% money-back guarantee, and the pump has a 20,000+ hour life.

3 – SEAFLO 12 V / 24 V DC, Solar Water Pump

SEAFLO 12 V / 24 V DC, Solar Water Pump

The SEAFLO is a 24v submersible solar water pump with a 3 chamber positive displacement diaphragm. It has a great flow rate and is immersable up to 100 ft.

This setup provides you a total lift of 230 ft, so you’ll get all the water you need for:

livestock irrigation
deep wells
off-grid houses
or bug-out locations

All cable connections are waterproof with high strength, engineered plastic. And a corrosive-resistant housing and stainless steel fasteners.

It also sports a thermally protected permanent magnet motor.

The maximum flow rate is fantastic at1.6 gallons per minute.

So this is the solar powered water pump you need to get the job done at your remote location. All you need to do is connect it to your solar cells, and you are good to go.

4 – ECO-WORTHY Solar Fountain Water Pump Kit

ECO-WORTHY Solar Fountain Water Pump Kit

EOC-WORTHY is a company that produces several renewable energy products.

Their submersible solar powered pump works great for large outdoor fountains. Or in your garden as well as hydroponics in your greenhouse.

You can simply drop it in a pond or stream to get water to where you need it.

The pump has a max flow rate of 160 GPH with 5.6ft of lift and has a lifespan of 20,000 hrs.

It also comes with its own 12V adjustable solar panel, so all you need to do is set it up, and water will start flowing.

There are no batteries with this system, so you’ll only get water flow when the sun is out.

5 – BACOENG DC 12V Farm & Ranch Solar Water Pump

BACOENG DC 12V Farm & Ranch Solar Water Pump

Another great submersible solar water pump is from BACOENG.

This unit works well for drainage needs or agriculture and livestock with its large flow capacity.

It features either a zinc-plated housing or upgraded stainless steel. These options give you a choice depending on your budget.

It has a filter screen on the base to stop debris from clogging up the system. You can simply drop it into a well with a water depth of less than 20ft.

This solar pump is unstoppable in sunny weather, but it doesn’t end when the sun goes down. You can use a 20A controller and a 70AH battery to store power and extend your watering into the evening.

BACOENG also has 4 sizes to choose from depending on your needs.

This solar powered water pump provides stable performance with a large flow.

6 – Amarine Made DC 12V Farm & Ranch Solar Water Pump

Amarine Made DC 12V Farm & Ranch Solar Water Pump

Here’s a DC solar water pump from Amarine that solves all your farm and ranch water issues.

The pump features a waterproof, stainless steel 12V DC electric motor. That means it’s highly corrosive-resistant.

It’s also a simple build with few components, so repair and maintenance are easy.

This solar water pump is super quiet too. So there’s little noise pollution while having a large flow capacity.

You can hook it up to a series of 4 100W 12V solar panels to get maximum AMP power for solar power.

The more solar panels, the more water pressure you’ll get as the rotor spins faster.

The bottom line is this is an awesome submersible solar water pump.

7 – AEO Solar Powered Water Pump KIT

AEO Solar Water Pump KIT

The solar water pump kit from AEO is an easy-to-use solution for small water pumping needs. Since there’s no wiring, it’s easy to put together.

If you are looking for a way to sustainably power your water fountain, aquarium, or fish pond, this will do it.

It comes with a 10W polycrystalline solar panel in a strong, aluminum frame so you know it will be durable.

The brushless motor can run for over 20,000 hours. And it has a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.

If you are into hydroponics, then this solar kit is for you. The same goes for aquaponics.

The AEO filter system can safely take care of your fish pond with clean water and great nutrients.

There are 4 models to give you the water pump flow that you need.

8 – Amarine-made 24V Submersible Deep Well Water Pump

Amarine-made 24V Submersible Deep Well Water Pump

This solar powered water pump is the perfect solution for your remote watering needs.

It operates with solar panels and batteries, so you don’t have to worry about running out of water any time soon.

It is designed to work in a deep well and is submersible to 100ft with a maximum lift of 230ft.

The stainless steel housing keeps an airtight seal. So if you accidentally run it dry, you won’t damage it.

These solar water well pumps are ideal for crop irrigation and livestock watering.

They also work well to supply water to your remote cabin or off-grid homestead.

9 – Sunlitec Solar Fountain with Panel Water Pump

Sunlitec Solar Fountain with Panel Water Pump

If you want an eco-safe water feature in your gardens, then Sunlitec is your answer. They have a high-quality solar powered birdbath and efficient water feature kit.

This setup won’t water your vegetables or livestock. But sometimes, you just need to hear the sounds of water flowing.

And if you can give your winged friends a place to drink, all the better.

It’s designed to be functional for 20,000 hours and works well in a birdbath, fish tank, and small pond.

The spray heads provide extra water flows with heights up to 27.6″. This height depends on the strength of the sunlight and continues to flow throughout your sunny day.

The kit comes with a 1.8W solar panel, pump, 4 kinds of sprinkler heads, and a 9.5ft cord.

It’s everything you need to have a tranquil flow of water in your backyard.

FINAL THOUGHTS

We all know access to water is essential for life. We need it to survive, and plants need it to grow. Plus, if you have livestock they need a reliable supply of water in abundance.

Pumping water from rivers, streams, and wells without electricity is vital in survival. Your off-grid camp or homestead should be utilizing as much solar power as you can.