Solar Irrigation Systems
Water Your Farm with the Power of the Sun
ESPEN designs, supplies, and installs solar-powered irrigation systems for small to medium farmers — cutting fuel costs, boosting yields, and building long-term agricultural resilience.
Irrigation Without the Fuel Bill
Diesel-powered pumps are expensive to run and maintain — and unreliable when fuel prices spike. Solar irrigation eliminates the fuel cost entirely, drawing free energy from the sun to pump water when your crops need it most.
ESPEN's solar irrigation systems are designed for the realities of smallholder and medium-scale farming in East Africa: robust enough to handle demanding conditions, simple enough for farmers to operate and maintain, and affordable through our flexible financing options.
25 yr
Panel performance warranty
Why Solar Irrigation
Six Reasons Farmers Choose Solar
Zero Fuel Costs
Once installed, solar irrigation runs on free sunlight. No diesel, no kerosene, no monthly fuel bills — just reliable water for your crops.
Higher Crop Yields
Consistent, on-demand irrigation means your crops get water when they need it — not when fuel is available. Better water management leads directly to better yields.
Low Maintenance
Solar pumping systems have far fewer moving parts than diesel engines. Less to break, less to service, and lower maintenance costs over the system's lifetime.
Environmentally Clean
Solar irrigation produces zero emissions at the point of use — a meaningful contribution to cleaner air and a lower carbon footprint for your farm.
Water Source Flexibility
Our systems work with boreholes, rivers, dams, and storage tanks — whatever water source your farm relies on.
Long System Life
Quality solar panels carry 25-year performance warranties. Your irrigation investment keeps paying back for decades.
System Options
Find the Right System for Your Farm
Surface Solar Pump Systems
Ideal for drawing water from rivers, dams, and open water sources. Our surface pump packages include solar panels, pump, controller, and all fittings — ready to install.
Specifications
- Output: 2,000–50,000 litres/day
- Head: up to 30 metres
- Panel range: 300W–2,000W
- Suitable for: rivers, dams, tanks
Submersible Borehole Systems
Designed for deep borehole extraction, our submersible systems deliver reliable water from underground sources even in the driest seasons.
Specifications
- Output: 1,500–30,000 litres/day
- Head: up to 120 metres
- Panel range: 600W–3,000W
- Suitable for: boreholes, deep wells
Drip & Sprinkler Distribution
Pair your solar pump with an efficient drip or sprinkler distribution system to maximise water use efficiency and reduce crop water stress.
Specifications
- Drip and sprinkler options
- Covers 0.5–10+ acres
- Timer and sensor control available
- Compatible with all pump types
Financing
Flexible Financing — So Cost Isn't a Barrier
We believe every farmer deserves access to clean irrigation technology, regardless of budget. ESPEN offers financing options designed around the realities of smallholder farming.
Pay-As-You-Grow
Spread the cost of your system over 12–36 months, with repayments structured around your harvest cycles.
Group Financing
Farmer groups and cooperatives can access preferential rates and shared system configurations to reduce per-farm costs.
Outright Purchase
Buy your system outright and own it from day one — with full warranty and installation support included.
Our Process
From Assessment to Harvest
Site Assessment
Our engineer visits your farm to assess your water source, crop area, and daily water requirements — the foundation for a correctly sized system.
System Design
We design a system matched to your farm's specific needs: pump size, panel capacity, distribution layout, and storage if required.
Installation
Our certified technicians install and commission your system, testing every component before handover.
Training & Handover
We train you and your team on operating and maintaining the system, and provide a full documentation pack.
Ongoing Support
ESPEN provides after-sales support, spare parts, and scheduled maintenance visits to keep your system running at peak performance.
Ready to irrigate with solar?
Book a free farm assessment and get a system design tailored to your land and water source.
Free site visit, no obligation. We'll design the right system for your farm.