Solar garden irrigation: basic equipment & costs

It is clear that plants need water to live. It remains to be seen whether casting is perceived as tedious work. Independence is promised by solar irrigation that automatically supplies your plants with water.

Solar Garden Irrigation

The main difference between a solar and a conventional irrigation system is that the electricity required for this is not produced from the socket but with a solar panel. In this way, the sun, which is responsible for the thirst of the plants, also becomes a thirst quencher, since the system is powered by its energy. This type of irrigation can therefore also be used where there is no power connection outside or within reach, such as in an allotment garden or in a holiday home. But these are not the only areas of application.

In principle, you can install this form of irrigation anywhere that water is needed, including on the balcony, terrace, in the greenhouse or in the garden for the raised bed. The prerequisite is that the sun's rays hit the solar module.

water supply

In addition to the sun, sun-powered garden irrigation naturally also needs water. Which water source you can use depends on the feed pump. While a submersible pump has to hang directly in the water, a pressure pump is located outside of the reservoir and draws the water through a suction hose. The most important criteria for both solar pumps are:

• Bridging the delivery heights
• sufficient pumping power
• maximum flow rate

Automatic watering

The linchpin of this garden irrigation system is that it works automatically. This not only saves the time for watering, but also protects your plants or plants. Your lawn will also be watered when you are away. The type of irrigation depends on the area of ​​application. There are basically three types of water distribution:

• drip irrigation
• extensive sprinkling
• fine spray

When your plants are watered depends on the system. There are irrigation systems that "water" automatically in the morning and in the evening. Intelligent systems go one step further as they take the current weather into account. This means that the water is also released at fixed times, but the irrigation system adjusts the amount of water to the actual water requirement.

Solar Irrigation Kits

In order to enjoy automatic watering, complete sets are recommended, as they contain all the necessary components for basic equipment:

• Housing with irrigation computer, pump, battery and control panel
• Solar module with ground spike and cable
• water level sensor incl. Cable and plug
• Inlet hose with intake filter
• supply hose
• T connector
• dispensing hose
• Connection piece with non-return valve
• hose caps

Depending on the type of irrigation, the equipment also includes:

• Drip Irrigation: Water dropper with ground spike
• Sprinkler: Sprinkler with ground spike
• spray mist: Fog nozzles with ground spike

Since complete sets have fixed components as basic equipment, you should be careful with regard to hose lengths and the number of water drippers, etc. don't be put off. Because most manufacturers offer expansion options. For example, the number of water drippers can be increased or the number of mist nozzles reduced.

Cost

Given the many advantages that solar irrigation systems have, the question arises as to the costs. As a rule, advantageous solutions are associated with high acquisition costs.

This does not apply to solar irrigation systems. The cost of a complete set is between 50 and 100 euros, depending on the manufacturer and equipment.

The price differences for drip irrigation relate to the number of drip outlets and the length of the irrigation hose. For example, cheaper systems in sets have 12-15 droplet outlets and usually also a shorter supply hose.

Whether you increase the omissions or lengthen the hose depends on the manufacturer. Systems priced closer to $100 have up to 50 water droppers. In addition, the supply hose can be easily branched so that your balcony plants can keep their location.

Rotating sprinklers with a solar panel for garden worshipers with an area of ​​up to five square meters cost around 90 euros. Spray misters for watering almost four square meters cost a good 95 euros.

Learn more about irrigation