Mzuzu engineering student take on the rope pump challenge!

Due to time constraints and longer than expected lead times it became obvious that it wouldn't be possible to test the system as comprehensively as first intended. Nor would it be possible to get the pump ready to be installed and used as originally intended. Therefore priority was given to gathering vital information and also to finding future support for the project.

A month was spent constructing, testing and demonstrating the solar-powered rope pump on a borehole at Mzuzu University.

Children help with testing the example rope pump, near Mzuzu University

It was agreed with Maxon, Head of the Teaching Centre for Renewable Energy Technologies Department (TCRET) at Mzuzu University and SolarAid's Milawi Trustee, that a student would take on the project as part of their fourth and final year at the University. The pump was then demonstrated to the whole year to unanimous interest!

The temporary pump installed at the University was intended to be a proof of concept and a demonstration for TCRET to gain support for future local development.

The brief test of the example pump drew 0.14 litres per second from a 15 metre depth and was powered by an 80watt PV panel, capable of running for 6 hours per day. The pump could therefore produce 3000 litres of water per day!

A large amount of further investigation is needed (especially in sourcing the motor) but a very provisional cost breakdown is: pump - $100, motor - $200, PV - $500, totalling $800. At this prices the pump at over double that of a small diesel pump but significantly less than any other comparable solar pump. However, if fuel prices over several years are considered, the solar rope pump looks to be highly competitive.

Please support our work in the development of the rope pump. Help SolarAid to reach thousands of people in Malawi and beyond, to have access to a resource we take so much for granted...water. Thank you.

More from me again soon,
Cai