Solar Water Pumps in Zimbabwe — Your Guide to Consistent Water Supply
Solar water pump systems are ideal and in some cases necessary for farms, homes, and businesses in Zimbabwe. Whether you’re a first-time farmer who just needs water for pigs or poultry, or you are in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru trying to cope with water shedding, this guide is for you. We’ll walk you through what solar water pumps are, how they work, what they cost, and exactly what to expect when you choose us.
What Is a Solar Water Pump — And Why It Matters
A solar water pump is a system that uses solar panels to power a pump, moving water from a source such as a borehole, well, river, or tank to where you need it: into tanks, for irrigation, livestock watering, or household use.
In Zimbabwe, power outages, unreliable water supply, and water shedding are real and frequent, especially in cities like Bulawayo, where dam levels have remained low and councils regularly implement 120-hour or more per week water shedding schedules to conserve scarce water.
Are Solar Water Pumps Right for You?
At Solar Energy Scout, we serve a wide range of Zimbabweans:
- First-time farmers looking to establish pig, poultry, goat or cattle operations; market gardening; greenhouses — you’ll want reliable water for your animals, crops, and cleaning.
- Small- and medium-scale agriculture — irrigation for several hectares, filling tanks, moving water across uneven land.
- Large urban suburbs and peri-urban estates in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru — water shedding and shortages mean many residents cannot rely on council supply; you might need water for household use, gardening, livestock, or backup.
We design systems based on your water needs, source (borehole, surface water, or municipal), depth of source, how far water has to travel, and when/what volumes you need water. That means the system you get will be tailored to your farm size or household usage.
Types of Solar Water Pumps & What to Choose
Solar water pumps come in different configurations but you will typically choose between submersible or surface pumps and AC or DC pumps. Here’s a quick overview:
Submersible vs Surface Pumps
Submersible pumps are best for deep boreholes, heavy usage (livestock troughs, large irrigation). Needs proper sizing as water depth affects power needed.
Surface pumps are more suitable for shallow wells, rivers, ponds; farms with surface water or small gardens. They have a lower cost; fewer depth constraints, but less powerful over long distances.
DC vs AC Pumps
DC water pumps are often more efficient for smaller systems. DC avoids losses associated with inversion.
AC water pumps may require more equipment but sometimes easier maintenance in urban settings.
We’ll always visit your site, assess depth, flow rate (how much water you need per hour/day), distance to tank, and usage schedule (daily, seasonal) to recommend the best pump type and solar array.
Water Pump Needs for Farms & Livestock
If you’re farming (pig, poultry, cattle, goats), or doing market gardening or greenhouse work, here are typical water-use cases and what they require:
- Pig & poultry farms: cleaning, drinking water, washdowns. You might need more frequent flow during hot months.
- Cattle/goat watering: troughs filled once or twice daily, maybe more during dry season.
- Greenhouses/market gardens: drip or sprinkler; often need pumps that can manage constant moderate flow rather than big bursts.
We determine your “flow rate” (liters per hour) and how high we need to lift the water (head). These both affect which pump you need and how large your solar panel array will be. For many typical small farms, a pump of 1-1.5 HP (horsepower) or equivalent can meet daily watering and irrigation needs, while larger farms or deep boreholes may require 2-3 HP or more.
Solar Water Pumps vs Water Shedding
If you live in Harare or Bulawayo you’re experiencing water shedding. Bulawayo’s dam levels have been persistently low; the city has been under heavy shedding schedules (120-130+ hours per week) to conserve water.
What that means for you: water runs a few days a week. Having your own solar pump, storage tank and well means you can pump from a safe source without waiting. Even small systems for household and garden water use pay off in peace of mind and reduced hardship.
What It Costs (Estimates) & How Packages Work
A small 0.5HP solar water pumping system with panels, tank, basic installation near Harare may cost around US$1,800 (based on recent price catalogues) for full installation.
Use Case | Typical Setup | Rough Price Range (USD) |
Household / Small Plot (e.g. poultry, small garden) | ~0.5-1HP pump + small solar array + tank within 50-km of city | US$600 – US$1,500 |
Medium Farm (several hectares, mixed livestock) | 1.5-2.5HP, deeper borehole, larger pump head, larger solar array, larger tank | US$1,500 – US$4,000 |
Large Farm / Commercial / Deep Borehole | 3HP+, deep submersible, long distance piping, high head, full solar panel system, large storage | US$4,000 – US$10,000+ |
We’ll provide you with a detailed quotation that breaks down pump size, solar array size, installation labour, transport, and any extras (tank, plumbing, wiring).
What You Get When You Work with Solar Energy Scout
- Full site assessment: We visit you (or get accurate measurements/photos), test source depth/quality, measure distance, understand your usage.
- Design & sizing: We recommend a pump, solar panels, tank size, wiring — tailored to your farm, location and budget.
- Quality products: Trusted brands, durable parts meant for Zimbabwe’s climate.
- Professional installation: Pump, solar panels, plumbing, wiring, mounting, safety checks.
- Training, warranty & support: We show you how to operate and maintain your system so it lasts for years.
FAQs — What People Ask
Do these pumps work when it’s cloudy or raining?
Yes. Solar panels still produce power in diffused light (on cloudy days), though output drops. Usually you store water during sunny hours or use tanks to hold what you pump.
Will I need batteries?
Not always. Many systems are direct-drive: solar panels power the pump directly during daylight, and water is stored in tanks. Batteries add cost and maintenance. However, for night use or constant use when the sun isn’t enough, you can add a solar battery backup system.
How deep can the pump lift water?
Submersible solar pumps can reach borehole depths of 50-100 m or more, depending on pump power (horsepower) and design. If your borehole is very deep, you’ll need a more powerful pump + more solar panel capacity.
What maintenance is needed?
Basic cleaning of solar panels, protecting wiring, ensuring water source is clean, occasional checks of pump seals. Expect minor servicing annually.
Why Choose Solar Energy Scout?
- We work in farms, smallholdings, remote & urban areas across Zimbabwe; we know the soil, the rainfall patterns, the way power outages affect daily life.
- We treat you as a partner guiding you every step, explaining what you’re paying for, and making sure your system works for your real needs, not a “one-size-fits-all” package.
- We make sure your system can handle current problems like water shedding in Bulawayo or Harare so you’re not left high and dry when dams run low.
Get Started — Your Quote & Next Steps
Ready to get reliable water?
- Contact us for a free site assessment / consultation.
- We’ll help you choose the right pump, array, and storage setup.
- We’ll send a detailed quote.
- Once you agree, we supply and install to your location — whether in a remote farm, smallholding, or city fringes.
WhatsApp 0772 775846 today to get started.