Design and Evaluation of a Smart Solar Energy Controller for Irrigation and Agricultural Appliances

Abstract

This study introduces a designed, evaluation and tested smart solar pump controller intended to maximize the use of solar photovoltaic (PV) in the agricultural sector mostly through resolving the issue of underused solar pumps. Traditional solar pumping set-ups have stood idle in over 200-220 days a year, resulting in waste of generated energy. To overcome this, a prototype controller was developed at the Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, IGKV Raipur (Jan–July 2025), integrating a 2.2 kW PV array with a submersible pump and auxiliary agricultural gadgets. The controller incorporates maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and a DC changeover mechanism that redirects surplus solar power from irrigation to secondary applications such as a flour mill and other farm tools. Analysis of performance measurement during full-load and no-load conditions showed that the controller is able to regulate the voltage and current effectively such that different devices are well controlled. The system ensured consistent output at both the high-voltage irrigation pumps and the low-voltage farm load and thus, made energy efficiency and reliability. Results confirm that the controller reduces solar energy wastage, enhances flexibility of usage, and provides an economically and environmentally sustainable solution for rural agriculture. The developed system is an inventive step towards solar-powered agriculture as nowadays it is possible to use PV energy in a constant mode both to irrigate the land and to realize useful activities on the farm.