Solar powered garden watering system?

Question

I'm trying to design a solar powered garden watering system for my parents, whom live in the desert. I have two possible options:
1. Use a primary water heating system, where a water tank is heated by the sun and the water is condensed, and then drains (via gravity) onto the plants.
-problems.. The water will only flow during 75% of the year, the water has to be replaced with an electric pump, and I have no clue what dimensions\materials will be required for the base water tank.

2. A secondary solar heating system, where solar cells power batteries that then drive a heating system and a refill pump.
-problems... I don't have any clue how many watts are going to be required from the solar cells in order to keep the whole system running, and I don't know what type of heating unit to use in order to turn the water into vapor.

So I was wondering what system I should go with? Plus, can you elaborate on why one is better\cheaper than the others.

Answer 1

Funny, I was thinking sun creates clouds with water from sea and then it rains on you garden....Presto!!!

Answer 2

I have always used gravity from water tanks on platforms unless your tank is underground. Using a valve with small rows of rubber tubing allowing water to get to each hill to my veggies. Example here.



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/3647034221_165706673d_b.jpg



Would be hard not seeing the setup you have. Some pumps run off of solar power such as fountains in small ponds running on 6v.



You will need a strong power inverter for your type of setup if you want lots of pressure, and some battery banks to keep the right voltage to your inverter, and a charge controller as well. You don't need to water in the night time anyway seeing it will only cause mildew on your plants.

Answer 3

I'm not sure why you need to heat the water, to make it flow up? Anything that makes heat or cold uses a LOT of power, so it will be expensive to do it with solar.



Could you just use a solar powered pump to circulate the water? I'm not sure what your water source is, a well or stream (in the desert?), so I can't recommend which pump to use. But you can look at some options here, http://www.altestore.com/store/Solar-Water-Pumps/c489/ . For instance, this ShurFlo surface pump http://www.altestore.com/store/Solar-Water-Pumps/Surface-Solar-Pumps/Shurflo-Surface-Pumps/Shurflo-2088-443-144-12V-Std-Surface-Pump/p1088/ can self prime up to 12' and could work with a 135W panel like this http://www.altestore.com/store/Solar-Panels/Kyocera-KD135SX-UPU-135W-12V-Solar-Panel-with-J-Box/p7945/ .

Answer 4

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