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Energy Questions

Can Solar Run My Irrigation Pumps?

How solar covers daytime pumping, when a battery is worth adding, and what to do about remote bores.

The short answer

Yes, for daytime pumping, which is when most irrigation and stock water pumping happens. Solar sized to your pumps' power and hours covers it directly. Remote bores can run on their own solar pump. If you pump into the night, a commercial battery carries it, and a variable speed drive cuts how much power each pump needs.

Pumping in daylight

Most irrigation and stock water pumping happens during the day, which is exactly when solar makes power. Size the solar to your pumps' power and the hours they run, and the pumping comes off your own panels instead of the grid.

We work from your power bills, your pump nameplates and how long they run in your busiest month.

Remote bores and troughs

Bores and troughs far from the shed don't need a power line run to them. A solar pump runs straight off its own panels and fills a tank during the day, so stock have water through the night.

Pumping into the night

If you pump at night to use cheaper water allocations or avoid evaporation, a commercial battery stores midday solar for those hours. We size it to the pump and the hours, not a standard package.

Commercial batteries for rural sites

Cutting the pump's power

  • A variable speed drive runs the pump only as hard as it needs to, which cuts power and wear
  • Soft starts reduce the demand peak each time a big pump starts
  • Three-phase pumps need a three-phase system; we design for what you have

Your Savings

See what solar and a battery would save you, with your state's rebates applied.

Common Questions

How much solar do I need for an irrigation pump?

It depends on the pump's power and how many hours it runs. As a rough start, the solar should make at least what the pump uses over its running hours. We size it from your pump and bills.

Can a solar pump work without batteries?

Yes. Most solar bore pumps run straight off their panels and pump into a tank, which stores the water instead of the power.

Do farm solar systems get the STC discount?

Yes. Since 1 October 2026, solar systems up to 1 MW earn STCs up front, taken off your quote.

Ready to transform your energy future?

Tell us about your home, business or farm. We'll design a solar and battery system around your bills, with every rebate applied.

  • RenewableRooftop and ground-mounted solar, sized to you.
  • StorageBatteries that keep your solar working at night.
  • EfficientSmart systems that cut what you pay the grid.