The Best Solar Well Pumps

Having a reliable well pump in your home can be incredibly beneficial, particularly if you live in a remote area where public water sources are unreliable, or you’re building yourself an off-grid home. If you already have a well or if you’re thinking about adding one in your home, you’ll need to choose the best well pump for your needs.

To have an efficient solar-powered well pump installed in your home that is compatible with your well is extremely important, so to ensure a successful installation, we’ve put together an informative guide to help you get the products that are right for you.

Editor’s Picks

We’ve narrowed down our top 3 solar well pump picks after conducting thorough market research. Let’s take a look at them.

Best Overall

PWS 24V Stainless Steel 316

This submersible pump has the longest lift of all our picks as it is designed to reach the water from depths of up to 320FT and also has the fastest flow rate, which is 7.7 gallons per minute. If you want to cut costs on electricity while having the freedom of pumping a fast and steady flow of water whenever you want, the PWS 24V is a great pick as it can run on battery as well as solar energy when you buy the panels separately.

Best Performance

NovelBee 12V

The NovelBee 12V can meet all your water pumping needs as it is the best-performing product of our top picks. This submersible pump has an impressive lift of up to 230FT/70M and the water pump’s maximum submersible depth is 100 feet/30 meters, so it is perfect for larger, deeper wells. Once set up, the water flows at 2.1 gallons per minute.

Best Budget

Deep Well Submersible Pump Solar Water Pump

When it comes to getting the most bang for your buck, the Deep Well submersible pump is the best choice. This well pump is environmentally friendly since it is non-toxic, so if you’re looking for more eco-friendly but inexpensive water pumps, this solar well pump may be a good option for you. This solar pump is suited for deep wells as it has a high maximum lift of 82 feet and a flow rate of 792.5 gallons per hour.

How Do Solar Well Pumps Work?

The sun recycles about a trillion gallons of water every day through the process of evaporation and precipitation. Surely it’s only natural, therefore, that its energy should also be used in the pumping of water from wells bored deep into the ground, or in swimming pools and rain barrels ( see our best solar rain barrel pumps), for the use of homes and rural farmsteads? That, at least, is the thinking behind the solar well pumps reviewed and rated in this article.

Still, you’re probably wondering: how do solar well pumps work? Even if you’re familiar with the mechanics behind the operation of pumps, you might be confused as to how solar technology fits in. Whether you’re a novice or a sage of well pumping, we’re here to illuminate for you the inner workings of solar technology.

First, the pump itself. All of the pumps on this list are ‘submersible’ pumps which, as the name suggests, are submerged beneath the surface of the water, deep at the bottom of the well. Submersible well pumps are sturdy, cylindrical metal objects housing a motor and a set of impellers. Water filters into the pump through holes in the housing, and the motor then drives the encased impellers which push this water up through attached pipes into your house or farm’s water tank.

Sensors are another integral part of the pump’s operation. Placed in the water of the well, and in the residential water tank, they effectively instruct the solar well pump setup as to when the water tank requires more water from the well, and when the well requires time to naturally refill, before it can be mined again for water. These sensors are connected to the solar controller, which is in charge of conducting the whole operation.

And what else is connected to the the solar panels, of course! Solar panels may look complicated, but in reality they are fairly straightforward contraptions. Comprised of many individual photovoltaic cells, housed in a weather and waterproof, UV-resistant casing, they are made of polycrystalline or monocrystalline silicon. This silicon, when exposed to the sun’s rays, reacts both chemically and physically in a process known as the ‘photovoltaic effect’. Essentially, the reaction converts sunlight into consumable electricity, which the panel then feeds, in the case of solar well pumps, into the solar controller and the pump itself.

Alternatively, solar panels can be first attached to batteries, which are then attached to the controller and pump, allowing for the pump’s operation overnight, when the panels are inoperable due to the lack of sunlight. However, whether you attached the panels to a battery first or not is at the discretion of the user: either setup works just fine. The controller ensures that the energy produced by the solar panel(s) is optimised for the voltage and wattage required by the pump.

Read also: Top-rated Solar Pool Pumps

Pros and Cons of a Solar Well Pump

As with all modern technology, there are both advantages and disadvantages to installing a solar well pump on your property. Let’s take a look at the most fundamental of the pros and cons.

Pros:

1. Free electricity. Sunlight doesn’t just come cheap, it comes completely free. Thus, whilst the initial investment in solar technology might seem steep, you’ll pay it all off and then some after you begin saving on your electricity bills. Pumping water is a necessity and a lifeline for many rural dwellers, and having free electricity to do so with can make all the difference.
2. Water even in an outage. Unlike grid-electricity, which during a power outage would be unavailable, thus rendering your water pump broken, solar energy will never (in our lifetimes) run out. Thus, solar well pumps are the only guaranteed off-grid water system alternative in an outage (or indeed, in the likelihood that you don’t have access to grid power, due to your location).
3. Automatic operation. With many solar well pump kits, you get a controller and sensors included. These sensors ensure that your water tanks are kept at the levels required, whilst your well is never drained dry. The solar controller, on the other hand, ensures that this operation runs smoothly and is maximised for efficiency.
4. Green and eco-friendly. Instead of using fossil fuel electricity, which is terrible for the environment, you can use environmentally-friendly renewable energy and not have to worry about the effect your pumping is having on the environment.
5. Wide application. Whilst solar well pumps may be intended for pumping water into your property’s water tanks from a well, they don’t have to be limited to this application. In fact, they can be used to displace water in many situations, including in emergency situations such as floods.
6. High maximum lift and flow rate. Solar power doesn’t have to mean less power. With the pumps on this list, you can still meet high lift requirements (the height water needs to be pumped to from the base of the well), and achieve high flow rates (the amount of water being pumped per hour).

Cons:

1. Sunlight depending. As with all solar-powered technology, the smooth operation of solar well pumps depends upon the solar panels’ consistent exposure to sunlight. Ensure that your solar panels are placed so as to maximize their daily sunlight exposure. Unfortunately, if you live in an area that is often overcast, or in which sunlight is not dependable, you may experience issues with your solar well pump’s efficiency and overall operation. Are solar panels dependent on direct sunshine? Explore our article to find the answer.
2. Solar panels not (necessarily) included. Unfortunately, few solar well pumps come with the solar panels included, leaving it up to you the consumer to locate and purchase panels strong enough to do the job.
3. Expensive. Given that you’ll likely have to purchase solar panels separately, the expense associated with solar well pumps can be quite high. Still, given the eco-friendly, long-lasting, and dependable nature of solar technology, and the fact that it will save you tonnes in energy bills, we still think the investment’s well worth it.

Best Solar Well Pumps Reviewed

Let’s get an in-depth look at some of the best solar well pumps available today.

1: PWS 24V Stainless Steel 316

This well pump is rated on our editor’s picks as the best well pump overall and with good reason. This well pump is rated so high due to its high maximum lift, it is capable of reaching depths of up to 320 feet, while also maintaining an impressively fast flow rate of 7.7 gallons per minute, and once set up, this well pump can deliver water to the surface almost as easily as turning on a faucet at the kitchen sink

This solar-powered well pump also has built-in water shortage sensors which automatically switch off the pump when the header tank is full or if the water source has fallen below the well pump intake level. PWS also guarantees 100% satisfactory service and will pay to replace any quality issues in their well pumps.

2: NovelBee 12V

This well pump is one of the highest-rated water pumps on our list, so you can be assured that it can satisfy your water pumping requirements without a problem. It is one of the few products on this list with a very high maximum lift height, This well pump can lift water from depths of up to 230FT/70M and has a flow rate of 2.1 gallons per minute.

The NovelBee 12V well pump durability is something you can rely on. It is made out of stainless steel and has a thermally protected motor to ensure that your well pump lasts as long as possible.

3: Deep Well Submersible Pump Solar Water Pump

This well pump is the perfect budget pump if you’re looking for an affordable pump that also has good quality. This pump is exceptionally long-lasting since it is made of cast steel and is resistant to rust, humidity, and high temperatures so you won’t have to worry about this pump breaking down on you a few months after your purchase.

This pump has a high maximum lift of up to 82 feet and a flow rate of 792.5 gallons per hour, and because of its massive lift, this budget water pump has a wide variety of applications; the Deep Well submersible pump can be used not only in your home, but also on ships, boats, fishing boats, ponds, agricultural irrigation, and other similar applications.

4: Amarine Made 12V

The Amarine Made 12v has a large maximum lift of 230-330 feet, making it perfect for larger, deeper wells, and it has a flow rate of 3.2 gallons of water per minute, ensuring you have a steady supply of water whenever you need it.

The Amarine Made 12v is made of stainless steel and does not rust. This well pump is also lightweight, weighing just 8.95 pounds, and equipped with a thermally insulated motor to ensure that it lasts as long as you need it to.

5: ECO LLC DC 24V 200W

This compact solar pump was designed by eco LLC and can be used at home or for industrial use.  It comes with two 100-watt solar panels and a WPPT controller that prevents the pump from overheating, running dry, and repeated start-up in low-light conditions. If you want to use the pump at any time, batteries can be inserted into the controller. The eco LLC has a maximum lift of 164 feet and a flow rate of 7 gallons per minute. Low water level sensors and tank full sensors are also included in this well pump, allowing for complete automation of the pumping system. ECO LLC guarantees that this solar pump can last a long time and is a product that you can rely on.

This well pump, like many solar solutions, is environmentally safe because it does not emit any contaminants into the air as it operates. However, this is not the only benefit; it is also noiseless, meaning you won’t have to think about a noisy well pump disturbing your peace.

#6: Amarine Made DC 12V

The Amarine Made DC12v solar well pump is a heavy-duty, long-lasting solar well pump suitable for use on farms and ranches. This well pump can be used for a variety of water use, including livestock watering. It has a full electric protection unit and a waterproof seal to keep water and electricity out of the pump to ensure this solar pump system can be a product you can rely on.

When the water is being pumped, this well pump is quiet and does not emit any toxic contaminants into the environment, making it a good eco-friendly option. The Amarine DC 12v well pump has a simple structure that is simple to set up and repair if anything goes wrong, and you won’t have to worry about it costing you extra to service.

This well pump runs at 60 volts and that voltage is stabilized and maintained so your well pump system doesn’t overwork and burn out and also has good insulation so your well pump doesn’t overheat while operating.

Solar Well Pump Buyers Guide

As previously mentioned, selecting the correct well pump is critical in order to optimize its usage and avoid wasting money on a well pump that isn’t right for your well and ending up with a disappointing device. Here are a few factors to keep an eye out for when buying a well pump:

Maximum lifting height

Examine the maximum lifting height, also known as “the maximum head,” to ensure that it is appropriate and compatible with your well. If you buy a water pump with a maximum head of 195 feet/60 meters, the flow rate would be zero if you want to pump water to heights greater than that. Generally, the pump you choose should have a maximum head that is higher than the height at which you plan to pump the water.

Flow rate

Flow rate refers to the time taken by a water pump to pump a specific amount of water. If you are going to use the water pump for either job sites or farms, you should purchase one that has the ability to pump over 2500 liters/660 gallons of water per minute. On the other hand, a pump with a flow rate of between 100 – 200 liters/26-52 gallons per minute is ideal for any home use. If you’re someone who prefers having a steady and fast flow of water, it is always best to pick a well pump that pumps out more liters per min. 

Price And Quality

It’s important that you spend your money according to the quality of your solar pumps. Some well pumps may be unnecessarily expensive for products that have a slow flow rate and a limited maximum lifting height, or just poor quality products in general. Due to this, it is important to do thorough research on your well pumps before buying them. For example, reading reviews and researching the brand are both essential steps in ensuring you do not receive a disappointing product or pay too much for a product of poor quality. If a solar pump kit is out of your price range, there’s no need to worry. There are many options for you to choose from, so take your time and you may just find the perfect well pump to suit your needs, so keep looking!

Read also: Independent-Grid Solar System Sizing

Final verdict

Taking into account the pumping systems mentioned above, the PWS 24V Stainless Steel 316 solar pump kit is our recommendation. It has a high maximum lifting height and a strong flow rate. It is also a high-quality product that is well worth the money and if any problems in regards to the quality arise, it will be covered by the manufacturer.