Futurepump’s first customers were on the shores of Lake Victoria, Western Kenya. Our goal then, as it is now, was to reduce the exhausting manual irrigation labour efforts of smallholder farmers and provide a sustainable alternative to fuel powered generators for irrigation.
Over the past 12 years we’ve grown our sales across Africa and into Asia and Oceania – all driven by our mission to provide a truly sustainable option for farmers worldwide.
We don’t look at large commercialised farms, we’re working to meet the needs of the 500 million small-scale farmers globally who are farming plots of 1-2 acres. Many of these farms are far from urban areas and are growing mostly for subsistence, with excess sold at markets.
Rural farms have unique challenges, they’re often:
- Off-grid
- Far from service centres
- Unable to have fixed irrigation structures
Designing pumps to specifically meet the needs of these rural farms is where we excel. Our pumps are:
- Powered by 100% renewable energy
- Robust and durable so need minimal servicing (and most maintenance can be done on farm using the spares and tools kit included)
- Portable – both the pump and panels are easy to move so they can be taken to different farm locations or into a store for security overnight
But what we’ve learnt is these challenges aren’t unique to African farms – rural farms, homesteads and market gardens all over the world can benefit from sustainable, reliable and efficient irrigation.
In the US in particular there is a quiet revolution happening with increasing numbers of homeowners turning to backyard or small-scale farming. According to the National Gardening Association, in 2021 42 million homes in the US were growing their own food – and this is increasing year on year.
At Futurepump, we have an expanding customer base in the US with increasing numbers of smallholders turning to renewable energy to move water on their plots. In the last year, we’ve seen a 200% increase in sales to the US via our webshop… so we thought we’d look at why solar irrigation is a great option for North American farmsteads.
1. Fluctuating fuel prices make it hard to plan
Average gasoline prices are on the rise. Whether or not you think the price will drop in the near future, one thing we can all agree on is that fuel prices are uncertain, hard to predict and fluctuate wildly.
This makes it extremely difficult to budget your farm expenditure if you rely on fuel powered machinery, including pumps for irrigation.
You may think that being connected to the grid can help. However, electricity prices are also on the rise, so powering your irrigation by electricity will also not protect you from increased expenditure on water pumping.
A solar pump that’s 100% powered by renewable energy means you are no longer at the mercy of unexpected price rises. So many American farmers are turning to a more stable resource by tapping into solar energy.
2. You can’t always rely on the grid
If you are connected to the grid, it can be unreliable. Many states face power outages at times of extreme weather, especially in rural areas. Some areas of California for example have power cuts when water levels are low in the reservoirs designed to generate hydroelectric power.
It is in these times of drought when your crops need water the most. Rainwater harvesting systems, coupled with a solar irrigation pump can provide you with an option in the driest of seasons.
3.Unpredictable weather
Wildfires, droughts and floods are becoming more common across America. Extreme weather varies by type and severity state by state, but nowhere is immune to these changes. Setting up an irrigation system gives you some control over getting water to your crops even if the rain does not come.
4. A reduced carbon footprint
Many homesteaders have turned to self-sufficiency and food growing in order to support a more sustainable lifestyle in general. However, many well meaning sustainability shifts fall short when the cost or effort involved is higher than the less sustainable alternative. On a small farm, this can be when farmers turn to using electricity or fossil fuel powered pumps to support tasks such as irrigation.
Solar irrigation pumps are just one example of a technology which can assist in this transition by making irrigation more efficient and effective to support a flourishing farm. This means a reduced carbon footprint compared to electric or fuel irrigation as well as the reduced food miles you’ll get from growing at home.
5. Grants and incentives encourage uptake
It’s a bit up in the air at the moment, but in several states there remain grants and incentives for harnessing renewable energy on farms in the US. Check out the USDA website to find out more.
Overcoming common concerns
Isn’t solar expensive?
Upfront costs with solar can seem high, however, if you compare the total price with buying, fueling and maintaining a petrol pump the savings stack up.
Will it work on cloudy days?
Whether a solar pump will work on a cloudy day really comes down to the specific radiation your location receives and how many solar panels you have with your pump. We have many customers in Europe, US and Canada who have arranged their pump set ups to work for their location. And all of our pumps come with the option to choose ‘double solar’ for exactly this reason.
Read more about solar irrigation for higher latitudes on our blog
What if I don’t know how to set it up?
Futurepump solar pumps are plug and play – they’re super simple to set up. But if you have trouble we have installation videos and our technical support team are only a message away.
How do I know it won’t just breakdown?
Solar pump technology is getting better and better. At Futurepump we’ve put a decade of field experience into our products so you can be sure that your pump is built to last. If it does need maintenance or servicing then there are spare parts and tools in every box and the rest should be covered by our 10 year warranty.
How to get started with solar irrigation on your farm
- Step 1: Assess your needs – How much water do your crops need? What’s your current irrigation method? We’ve got a handy guide to walk you through everything you need to think about – see it here
- Step 2: Choose the right solar pump – Different pumps work for different water sources and farm sizes. Futurepump solar pumps are surface water pumps ideal for irrigating from shallow water sources such as rivers, lakes or wells and they provide enough water for irrigating 1-2 acres of land.
- Step 3: Install – Depending on your solar pump selection, how to install will differ. Futurepump solar pumps are plug and play and super simple to set up – watch Martina set up our SF2 ⬇️
- Step 4: Service/maintenance – Whatever pump you choose, it’s a good idea to check up on what the servicing and maintenance requirements are. Futurepump solar pumps come with a 10-year warranty so we are ready to support you in case of any challenges
Is solar right for your farm?
If you’re spending too much on fuel, struggling with water supply, or looking for a long-term solution, solar irrigation could be the answer. We’ve worked with thousands of farmers who are now experiencing increased harvests, lower expenses and have more certainty over their business.
If you’re interested to learn more, you can reach out to us on hello@futurepump.com or browse our pump options at shop.futurepump.com
