Solar Pump Water System
An Innovative and Green Solution
Thanks to a collaborative effort between the Barrington Community Garden Committee (BCGC) and the Energy Committee (EC) the sun is working double duty powering a solar driven water system that will supply ample water for successful cultivation.
The Energy Committee, tasked at looking into innovative solutions for the Town’s energy needs, welcomed the opportunity to work in conjunction with the Garden Committee to establish an energy friendly solution for a water system at the garden. A design team consisting of EC member Peter Clifford and BCGC members Kim Jacobs, Kate Weymouth and Cyndee Fuller worked in conjunction with John Renquinha, Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, to design the project.
The design took advantage of an existing abandoned well on the property. The well was reconditioned and a solar pump installed. The solar pump is driven by three photovoltaic (solar) panels and pumps water to a 1500 gallon water storage tank that was installed on the abandoned silo foundation. The solar panels are housed on the garden’s beautiful new shed and are facing due south to take full advantage of the sun’s energy. Distribution mains from the tank loop underground through the garden to eight spigots. As water is drawn, the level in the tank decreases. A float control signals the pump to turn on when the water in the tank drops approximately 100 gallons. This setting ensures that the tank will almost always be nearly full. If the sun is out, even partially, the solar panels will provide the energy needed for the pump to replenish the water in the tank and will shut off when the tank is full. When the sun is obscured by dark cloud cover, the pump will not run. Under this condition, as gardeners continue to use water, the tank will just be drawn down further. The float control will still be in active mode and as soon as the sun’s energy is available, the solar panels will drive the pump to replenish the tank.
There is a simple elegance to this wonderfully green solution to the garden’s water needs. In the upcoming months the Barrington Community Garden Committee will be working with the Energy Committee to document the project for use as a solar demonstration site.
Both Committees would like to thank Peter DeAngelis, Town Manager, for his support of the project and the Department of Public Works (DPW) for their oversight of the project. In particular, we would like to extend our gratitude to DPW’s John Renquinha, Mike Sousa, and Derek Galego, for their innovative ideas and the quality of the on-site work. The success of the project is also indebted to Darin Miller of Precision Well Company who worked with the design team on the pump and solar requirements and the pump installation, Mandrini Irrigation who installed the water mains, and East Coast Shed Company.
The water system was fully operational as of September 4, 2015 and is a wonderful example of a Green Solution for a Green Space!
The Energy Committee, tasked at looking into innovative solutions for the Town’s energy needs, welcomed the opportunity to work in conjunction with the Garden Committee to establish an energy friendly solution for a water system at the garden. A design team consisting of EC member Peter Clifford and BCGC members Kim Jacobs, Kate Weymouth and Cyndee Fuller worked in conjunction with John Renquinha, Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, to design the project.
The design took advantage of an existing abandoned well on the property. The well was reconditioned and a solar pump installed. The solar pump is driven by three photovoltaic (solar) panels and pumps water to a 1500 gallon water storage tank that was installed on the abandoned silo foundation. The solar panels are housed on the garden’s beautiful new shed and are facing due south to take full advantage of the sun’s energy. Distribution mains from the tank loop underground through the garden to eight spigots. As water is drawn, the level in the tank decreases. A float control signals the pump to turn on when the water in the tank drops approximately 100 gallons. This setting ensures that the tank will almost always be nearly full. If the sun is out, even partially, the solar panels will provide the energy needed for the pump to replenish the water in the tank and will shut off when the tank is full. When the sun is obscured by dark cloud cover, the pump will not run. Under this condition, as gardeners continue to use water, the tank will just be drawn down further. The float control will still be in active mode and as soon as the sun’s energy is available, the solar panels will drive the pump to replenish the tank.
There is a simple elegance to this wonderfully green solution to the garden’s water needs. In the upcoming months the Barrington Community Garden Committee will be working with the Energy Committee to document the project for use as a solar demonstration site.
Both Committees would like to thank Peter DeAngelis, Town Manager, for his support of the project and the Department of Public Works (DPW) for their oversight of the project. In particular, we would like to extend our gratitude to DPW’s John Renquinha, Mike Sousa, and Derek Galego, for their innovative ideas and the quality of the on-site work. The success of the project is also indebted to Darin Miller of Precision Well Company who worked with the design team on the pump and solar requirements and the pump installation, Mandrini Irrigation who installed the water mains, and East Coast Shed Company.
The water system was fully operational as of September 4, 2015 and is a wonderful example of a Green Solution for a Green Space!