Grazing Company Agricultural Solar Pumping Systems

Customer: Michelmore Grazing Company

Location: Fort Cooper & Kainga Stations

Case Study ID: CS-129

Date: July 2016

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Overview

Long-term customers Michelmore Grazing Company have recently purchased seven solar-powered pumping systems from the Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment Mackay branch. All the solar systems supplied are used to pump water from onsite bores to poly water storage tanks, to then feed the properties multiple cattle water troughs. Some existing bores were used to replace dated diesel setups/windmills, along with some new bores being added to increase the total number of watering points for the cattle. Michelmore Grazing Co. purchased three Solar Pumping Systems for Fort Cooper Station and another four systems installed at Kainga Station.

The Problem

The existing pump was an old-line shaft MONO pump that was operated by a Diesel engine with the existing bore column also a problem because of accumulated rust. Michelmore Grazing Company required Dowdens to update the existing pumping infrastructure to more efficient and cost-effective solar-based systems to gain better efficiencies and cost savings.

Our Solution

An efficient Grundfos solar pumping system along with a stainless steel and poly pipe bore column construction would meet the customer’s requirements.

Once the proposal had been accepted, the Dowdens Industrial Workshop began with the 18 x 270 Watt Solar Modules that were to be attached to 3 x 6 Module Fixed Post Array Frames. As an Authorised Grundfos Distributor, Dowdens Pumping Rockhampton was able to confidently recommend a Grundfos RSI Inverter together with the efficient Submersible Pump to be mounted and installed on this solar pumping system.

The system pumps directly from a bore to an elevated position on the Crystal Plains property where the customer is then able to gravity feed from their established tank farm to the greater majority of his property. On average the pump transfers 50,000L/day.

Operating costs were lowered via the system utilising a Grundfos Inverter with Sine Wave Filter Isolation Switch together with a tank level pressure switch – meaning the pump would start and stop automatically, only when needed. This automatic operation eliminated the need for the client to regularly drive to the bore to start and stop the pump. This increased pumping efficiency also saved on the overall cost of diesel to refuel the pump.

The Grundfos Inverter with Sine Wave Filter Isolation Switch, together with the Grundfos Submersible Borehole Pump were pre-wired on a custom-fabricated steel mounting frame to enable easy ‘plug & play ‘ installation. Dowdens supplied 5km of poly pipe for both the tank fill line and the gravity feed lines. The entire Grundfos RSI Solar Pumping System was designed, manufactured, installed and commissioned on time and within budget.

Key Components

The components and upgrades were delivered, installed and commissioned at various locations around the properties.

6 x Grundfos Submersible Solar Pumps (these pumps can be run by a generator if needed)
1 x Mono Submersible Solar Pumps
Multiple 250 Watt Solar Panels
Mono 2400 Watt Tracking Solar System
Repairs were also carried out on the existing Diesel driven MONO Helical Rotor Bore Pump by replacing the rusted head housing. The pump is now used as a backup for the new solar pumping system.

Project Design Philosophy

The high-quality GRUNDFOS & MONO Solar Pumping Systems have already delivered Michelmore Grazing Co. notable cost savings via a reduction in diesel fuel usage and a significant decrease in the need for ongoing diesel motor maintenance. Michelmore Grazing Co. now saves both time and money by not having to undertake laborious daily checks on the diesel pump sets fuel levels.