Procedure for minimizing the photovoltaic pumping system in irrigation and leaching applications in the Baghdad area

The amount of irrigation discharge was calculated using Penman's formulae according to crop water requirements. Leaching water discharge was calculated using water and soil electrical conductivities and evaporation parameters. Photovoltaic surface area was calculated from water discharge and total solar radiation. In this paper, a procedure has been developed to maximize the amount of leaching water discharge and minimize the photovoltaic surface area. The results indicated that 24.5% can be saved of the total photovoltaic surface area. Relationships between the water discharge and photovoltaic surface area for irrigation and leaching were found to be effective agreements. The multiple linear regression lines are used to derive equations for photovoltaic surface area requirements. The results found that at least 97% of the variation in photovoltaic surface area can be related to water discharge and total solar radiation.