The Spanish firm Incatema Consulting & Engineering completes the photovoltaic installation of the Asile drinking water system extension and rehabilitation project (Dept. of Nippes, Anse-à-Veau district)

It is a direct and autonomous solar pumping system, composed of a total of 32 high efficiency solar panels, equipped with 72 photovoltaic cells per panel which allows high performance even in low sunlight conditions.

Fernando Díaz, Infrastructure Director at Incatema Consulting & Engineering, "points out that the autonomy of the installation has a double advantage. On the one hand, there is the saving of storage batteries that have a high price and are not necessary, and on the other hand, energy efficiency is improved thanks to the autonomy that this direct system allows, where pumping occurs during all sunlight hours."

In terms of technical characteristics, the pumping equipment allows a maximum operating pressure of 1,600 KPa and a maximum supply pressure of 10 bars. It can operate at a maximum temperature of 50ºC. The design flow is 39.40 m3 per hour and the height of the water column is 16.70 meters.

The installed solar pump control program reduces the number of mechanisms used and promotes energy savings used in the maintenance of electric pumps thanks to an inverter. In addition, the system guarantees optimal operation against random and sudden radiation changes, incorporating a system that prevents stops and a new start of the pump. This mechanism also consists of a program so that there are no unnecessary starts or stops at sunrise and sunset.

Thanks to the drinking water network extension and rehabilitation project carried out by Incatema, more than 30,000 inhabitants of the area have seen their access to improved quality water. The project, of 1.4 million euros financed by the World Bank for the National Directorate of Drinking Water and Supply of Haiti (DINEPA), also envisaged the rehabilitation of the basin of the tributary of the Grande Rivière of Nippes.

HL/ HaitiLibre