A SPIS is a clean and sustainable irrigation technology that utilizes solar energy to pump and distribute water for agricultural use. As water scarcity and unreliable energy access continue to challenge agricultural productivity, SPIS offers a sustainable alternative to the most common irrigation systems by reducing dependence on fossil fuel sources, preventing from the consequences of their volatile prices. By replacing diesel- or gasoline-powered pumps, it lowers greenhouse gas emissions, reduces air pollution, and generates significant cost savings for farmers.
Beyond lowering operating expenses, SPIS also supports more consistent and productive farming: it is one of the best-studied solutions for improving smallholder farmers’ livelihoods, as access to modern irrigation can substantially increase yields, with case studies showing improvements of up to two- to three-fold (Efficiency for Access, 2019). This reliability enables year-round cultivation, leading to higher crop output, greater diversification, and improved farmer incomes (Schneider S., Raabe M. et al., n.d.).
SPIS is suitable for a wide range of irrigation scales, from small household gardens to large agricultural fields. It is particularly suitable for adoption in rural areas with limited access to electricity and abundant solar radiation, offering an affordable solution to increase agricultural productivity.