Company NewsOct 01, 2008
LORENTZ compares Solar and Diesel Pumps
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LORENTZ, GTZ, the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia and LORENTZ's Namibian partner Terrasol have put their expertise together and published a brochure comparing solar pumps and diesel-powered pumps and helping to calculate the long-term cost of both systems.  |
"Namibia is an excellent location for solar pumping," says Bernt Lorentz, general manager of LORENTZ. "But many farmers have not enough information on new technologies and stick to their traditional diesel engines and windmills. They are especially deterred by the higher initial cost for setting up a solar pumping system." The brochure shows clearly: Usually after less than four years, often earlier, the initial cost advantage of the Diesel pump is eaten up by operational, maintenance and replacement costs. Looking at the life cycle cost over 20 years, solar pump systems are around 80% cheaper than diesel-operated pumps. "And this calculation is for the present price for diesel of 10.20 Nambian $ per litre. We all know that we must expect fuel prices to rise, while the sun will forever remain the most economical fuel supplier you could think of." |
brochure, Namibia version (in N$) 
Terrasol
Bernt Lorentz
English