Use of Renewable Energy in Agriculture: Assessment of the Implementation of Solar Panels at Nfumueto Farm, Soyo, Angola

This study provides a preliminary assessment of the energy sizing of a solar photovoltaic system intended to pump water for irrigation at Nfumueto Farm, in the municipality of Soyo, Zaire Province, Angola. An exploratory and descriptive case-study design was adopted, using a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach based on semi-structured interviews, direct observation, an energy assessment, and documentary analysis involving three participants engaged in the farm’s management and operations. The conventional system was reported to comprise two combustion-engine pumps, with an estimated combined consumption of 80 L/day. The installed photovoltaic system consists of nine VC630M78-H modules rated at 630 W each, giving a total installed capacity of 5.67 kWp. Assuming five peak sun hours per day and overall losses of 20%, daily energy production was estimated at 22.68 kWh/day. For a pump with an approximate power rating of 3 kW operating for eight hours per day, the calculated daily energy requirement is 24 kWh. The difference between these values is 1.32 kWh/day. This result is a simplified estimate and does not, on its own, demonstrate the system’s operational feasibility, since local irradiance data, performance measurements, and complete hydraulic parameters were not available. An integrated energy and hydraulic assessment is therefore required before any changes to the installation can be recommended.

renewable energy; solar photovoltaic energy; agricultural irrigation; water pumping; Nfumueto Farm.

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