Solar Water Pumps in Zimbabwe
Consistent, reliable solar water pump systems for home, farm and irrigation use in Zimbabwe.
Solar water pump systems are ideal and in some cases necessary for farms, homes, and businesses in Zimbabwe. Whether you’re a first-time poultry farmer in Chitungwiza, or a homeowner in Bulawayo, 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 to help with your installation.
What Is a Solar Water Pump ?
Solar water pumping systems use solar energy of electricity or fuel to move water from a source — such as a borehole, well, river, or tank — to where it’s needed.
The main components are solar panels, a charge controller, and a pump (either submersible or surface type). The solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity, while the charge controller regulates the power and protects the pump from damage due to energy fluctuations. Unlike conventional pumps solar water pumps don’t use mains electricity or fuel, making them ideal for rural and off-grid areas.
There are different types of solar water pumps but you will typically choose between submersible or surface pumps and AC or DC pumps. Here’s a quick overview:
Submersible vs Surface Pumps
A submersible solar pump is installed below the water surface, usually inside a borehole, deep well, or riverbed. It pushes water upward to the surface using power supplied by solar panels. Because it operates underwater, it’s protected from overheating and is highly efficient for deep water sources.
These pumps are perfect for boreholes, irrigation systems, and livestock watering in areas such as Mazowe, Gweru, or Mutoko, where groundwater is available but often lies deep below the surface.
A surface solar pump sits above the water source and works by pulling water up through a pipe or hose. It’s best suited for shallow wells, small dams, rivers, or storage tanks, where the water level is not too deep — generally less than 7 metres. Surface pumps are ideal for market gardens, poultry projects, and small household use
DC vs AC Pumps
A DC solar pump operates directly from the direct current (DC) power generated by solar panels, with no need for an inverter. This makes them simpler, more efficient, and easier to install for small to medium applications.
DC pumps are ideal for home use, livestock watering, or vegetable gardens, particularly in off-grid or remote rural areas where every watt of solar power counts. They start working as soon as sunlight hits the panels and can be paired with batteries or controllers to maintain steady flow on cloudy days.
An AC solar pump runs on alternating current (AC), the same type of electricity supplied by ZESA or generators. These pumps usually require an inverter, which converts the solar panels’ DC (direct current) output into AC power.
AC solar pumps are powerful and can handle large-scale or high-head applications, such as commercial farms and estate irrigation, where high water volumes and pressure are needed. They’re often used by larger operations or government projects that already have partial grid access and want to reduce electricity costs.
Is a Solar Water Pump Right for You?
The most common use cases for solar powered water pumps are:
- Farmers and market gardeners with pig, poultry, goat or cattle operations; market gardening; greenhouses — you’ll want reliable water for your animals, crops, and cleaning.
- Homeowners in cities like Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru where water shedding and shortages mean many residents cannot rely on council supply; you might need water for household use, gardening, livestock, or backup.
Water Pumps for Farming & 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 can cost from US$1,800 for full installation. Below is a rough guideline of what you can expect to pay. Final estimates will depend on various factors including your location, water demand and more.
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+ |
When shopping for water pump quotes try to get one 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.
We design systems based on your water needs, source (borehole or surface water), 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.
We’ll 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.
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.