Skip Navigation to main content U.S. Department of Energy U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Bringing you a prosperous future where energy is clean, abundant, reliable, and affordable EERE Home
Solar Energy Technologies Program
 
About the ProgramProgram AreasInformation ResourcesFinancial OpportunitiesTechnologiesDeploymentHome
Concentrating Solar Power
Photovoltaics Why PV is Important PV Basics PV in Use Simple Systems PV with Batteries PV with Generators Hybrid Systems Net Metering Grid Connection Utility-Scale PV Case Studies Research and Development For Builders For Consumers For Students, Educators and Trainers
Solar Heating
Solar Lighting
Solar FAQ
Solar Glossary
Solar Timeline

Water Pumping Case Study: PV-Powered Water for Cattle in South Dakota

Photo of two ranchers standing in front of a water tank that is solar powered.

Solar electric modules (behind and to right of the ranchers) generate 1,600 watts of electricity to power a centrifugal pump that's 1.5 miles from the nearest power line at this South Dakota ranch. The system pumps 30 gallons a minute from a well 43 feet deep, and sends it 5.5 miles through a pipeline to other pastures. More modules can be added If the ranch's need for water increases.

In the "gumbo" soil country of South Dakota, there isn't much water underground. So when rancher Oliver Romey's stock dams went dry in 1990, he had a hard time finding a new water source. When he finally did find water on his land, the well was 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) from the power line. Extending the line to power his pump would have cost $18,000. Like many people in the area do, Romey began to haul water to his cattle in tank trucks each day. After two seasons of hauling water, he read about solar-powered pumping offered by the Northwest Rural Public Power District.

The district, like many utilities around the country, gives its customers the choice of running new power lines or installing a PV system. PV-powered water pumping is especially popular in rural areas because, although the electricity is used as it is generated, the water can be stored in tanks and reservoirs. And storing water is much cheaper than storing electricity.

Now, Romey's PV system pumps water through 5.6 miles (9 kilometers) of pipeline to four stock tanks that supply more than 150 head of cattle. And with the new pipeline, he can graze cattle on two fields that he couldn't use before.

For additional PV case studies, see: