Report No. : GEO Report No. 194

Report Title : Trial Use of Solar Power Automatic Irrigation System (2006), 34 p.

Author : B.L.S. Lui

Abstract

A solar power automatic irrigation system was tried out on a vegetated slope at Kau Shat Wan in Lantau Island. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department was engaged to run a contract for the design, supply and installation of the system.

In the trial, photovoltaic panels are used to generate electricity which is stored in rechargeable batteries. The batteries provide power for the operation of the system. A submersible pump pumps water from a natural stream course to a storage tank and the water is then drawn by an irrigation pump to the sprinklers installed at the slope toe for watering the vegetation on the slope. The system was installed in July 2003 and had been on trial for a year. The system had several failures in the initial trial period. It has been performing satisfactorily since modifications were made to the system in May 2004.

Results of the trial have demonstrated the feasibility of the solar power irrigation system. If irrigation is considered necessary for a slope, the use of an automatic irrigation system operated by solar power could be an option. Guidance on the design of the system is provided.

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