Water Manager
Irrigation
Solar
Harvesting sunlight to power irrigation
In Western Australia, where sunshine is abundant, solar-powered irrigation offers an efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective way to manage your water needs. Whether you’re managing a small farm or a large commercial property, harnessing the power of the sun allows you to irrigate your land without the ongoing expense of electricity or fuel.
At BD Water, we offer custom solar irrigation solutions designed to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re watering a small farm or managing a large-scale commercial setup, we’ll design a system that fits your water requirements, budget, and sustainability goals.
At BD Water, we offer custom solar irrigation solutions designed to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re watering a small farm or managing a large-scale commercial setup, we’ll design a system that fits your water requirements, budget, and sustainability goals.
Our team begins with a comprehensive site assessment to evaluate your water source, property layout, and sunlight availability. Based on this, we design a system that efficiently delivers water to your plants. We use high-quality solar panels and pumps, ensuring long-term reliability.
Call Now: 1300 239 283
Join the forces of nature with combined solar and water systems.
Solar-powered irrigation systems are increasingly popular in WA, particularly in remote locations or large properties. Solar pumps can drastically lower your energy costs over time, all while ensuring that your plants get the water they need. Not only are these pumps eco-friendly, but they’re also incredibly reliable in sunny Western Australia.
Rural off-grid systems
Solar-powered systems are useful for remote farms and bores far from power lines, offering reliable power for water without diesel or electricity.
Modern solar-powered pumps are both durable and efficient, and these can be the optimal choice from a system design and even initial budget perspective, due to their advanced technology and location flexibility.
Modern solar-powered pumps are both durable and efficient, and these can be the optimal choice from a system design and even initial budget perspective, due to their advanced technology and location flexibility.
Install and maintenance
Once your system is designed, our technicians handle the full install, from setting up the solar panels to integrating the pump with your irrigation system.
Solar systems require minimal maintenance, but performance can be optimised with occasional inspections, cleaning the panels, checking the pump and making necessary adjustments to ensure efficient water delivery.
Long-term benefits
Solar irrigation brings energy independence and cost savings.
By generating your own power, you are less vulnerable to fluctuations in energy prices or grid disruptions, ensuring your irrigation operates consistently.
By generating your own power, you are less vulnerable to fluctuations in energy prices or grid disruptions, ensuring your irrigation operates consistently.
Solar systems may have higher costs initially, but this is offset by immediate energy cost savings and a lifespan of 20 to 30 years.
How Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems Work
Solar irrigation systems use photovoltaic (PV) panels to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. This electricity powers a water pump that draws water from a bore, tank, or well and delivers it to your irrigation system.
The system can be automated, allowing you to set watering schedules, and can include sensors and controllers to optimize water use based on soil moisture or weather conditions.
The system can be automated, allowing you to set watering schedules, and can include sensors and controllers to optimize water use based on soil moisture or weather conditions.
The size of the solar panel array and the capacity of the pump depend on factors like your water needs, the available sunlight, and the size of the area to be irrigated. For properties that need water delivery at night or on cloudy days, battery storage systems can be added. While these come at a higher cost, batteries store solar energy to ensure your system runs even without sun.
Call Now: 1300 239 283
Thinking of upgrading your
existing system to solar?
If you already have an irrigation system, BD Water can retrofit it with solar power for pumps and controllers. This upgrade allows you to switch to solar energy without replacing your entire system, providing immediate energy savings.
Our approach lets you enjoy the benefits of solar energy while preserving your investment in your existing system.
Our approach lets you enjoy the benefits of solar energy while preserving your investment in your existing system.
Sustainability
Sustainability is a big focus for us, and we know it’s important for many of our clients, too. That’s one of the reasons why we provide solar pump solutions.
Savings
We’ll assess your current infrastructure and keep as much of your existing system that's well funcioning and can integrate with solar. This is the most cost-effective way to switch to solar.
Integration
BD Water is a fully integrated water services provider. We can custom design your irrigation install or upgrade to solar, considering the bore, property layout and regulatory requirements.
Our Customers
What our clients and drillers say about us.
BD Water strives to build relationships that last. And what our people say about us means a lot.
We make water simple, and we do that from the first supplier to the final consumer.
Sallyann Bailey
Director, Nateis Contracting
David Saunders
Operations Manager, Purely Commercials
Considering installing a solar system?
Solar-powered irrigation provides a sustainable, trustworthy and cost-effective solution for properties of all sizes in Western Australia.
BD Water’s custom solar solutions are designed to help you reduce energy costs, ensure long-term savings, and contribute to environmental sustainability. Whether you’re installing a new system or upgrading an existing one, we’re here to help.
BD Water’s custom solar solutions are designed to help you reduce energy costs, ensure long-term savings, and contribute to environmental sustainability. Whether you’re installing a new system or upgrading an existing one, we’re here to help.
Contact BD Water today to explore how solar-powered irrigation can benefit your property while lowering energy costs and environmental impact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much is a pump installation?
Pump prices vary greatly depending on the bore specifications, including size, flow, and age; and on the irrigation system needs, namely the size of the irrigated area, type of irrigation and water output methods. Ideally, the bore should be as close to the power source as possible, to reduce the cost of running electrical cable.
We always aim to do things as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. We are happy to provide a free consultation and quote for your pump installation.
How do I know which pump to choose?
We can recommend a pump model and size for your bore and irrigation needs. The right pump for your property depends on the size and depth of the bore, its flow and desired output, which depends on your irrigation system, its size, and the desired water usage, amongst other factors.
We only ever install Lowara and Groundfos units for systems connected to electricity, or Nastec for solar-powered systems, as these have been the most reliable and quality pumps we have come across over the years. These pumps usually last 10+ years if well taken care of.
When should I water?
You should set your system to water on your scheduled days. The optimum watering time is in the early morning. This allows the water to reach the roots without being evaporated or blown away. It’s also effective in preventing fungus or disease that is often caused by water sitting overnight on plants.
Do I need to apply for any licences?
We recommend you contact us directly so we can provide advice specific to your situation.
In general, most commercial or large properties in proclaimed areas (from the Hills line to the Coast) need a licence to drill and utilise the bore. If you are doing any of the following you’ll most likely need a groundwater licence to take water:
- Irrigating more than 1/2 an acre (2,000 square meters)
- Using the bore for commercial activity (feedlots, agriculture, construction, etc)
- Looking to utilise an aquifer deeper than the Superficial aquifer (bores generally deeper than 30 metres)
Another type of licence is a 26D licence to drill a borehole, which you need in case you are:
- Using the bore for commercial activity
- Looking to drill into a confined or semi-confined aquifer (bores generally deeper than 60 metres)
To ensure you are compliant with the legislation applicable to you, contact us so we can assess your property and give you specific advice for your situation.
How do you connect the new bore to my irrigation system?
We disconnect the existing system from the mains or previous water supply, and simply change its water source to the new bore, connected by the piping system. The controller can be rewired to the new box. This is a simple turn-key solution that we carry out in most integration systems.
How much is a consultation and quote?
Most of our consultations and quotes are free of charge. We conduct consultation with you, generally on site, to get to know you and understand your water needs, then provide a free quote.
In some cases, specialised research, testing or designing is required before we can provide a formal quote for the works. This includes bore drilling consultations and irrigation where a large system design is required. In these cases, we will discuss the costs of these services before doing anything, and if you’d like to go ahead, we can help you get a comprehensive solution, tailored to your needs.