Techno-Economic Performance of Diesel and Solar Photovoltaic Pumping Systems for Conventional and Drip Irrigation

Abstract

The agricultural sector in Honduras faces significant challenges related to access to affordable and sustainable energy, especially in rural areas where diesel-powered pumping systems predominate. This dependence not only increases operating costs but also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In response to this problem, this study aims to evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of implementing a solar photovoltaic pumping system for drip irrigation at the AHLE Experimental Farm, located in San Francisco de Yojoa, Cortés, Honduras. The methodology included system design and simulation using specialized software (PV*SOL), as well as financial analysis in Microsoft Excel to estimate key indicators such as the payback period to show best aspects of the study. The proposed system was compared with a conventional diesel-powered pump-based alternative, evaluating energy and water savings and CO2 emission reductions. The results showed that the solar system, composed of 28 solar panels of 545 Wp, enabled more efficient operation, with a lower environmental impact and a faster return on investment. In contrast, the diesel system presented higher operating costs and dependence on fossil fuels, reinforcing t