SOFTWARE LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Solar Irrigate: Optimizing Agricultural Energy Efficiency with Solar Power

SOFTWARE LICENSING OPPORTUNITY

Solar Irrigate: Optimizing Agricultural Energy Efficiency with Solar Power

Solar Irrigate is an innovative software model that calculates the potential energy offset for well pumping in agricultural settings using photovoltaic (PV) systems, promoting sustainable and cost-effective farming.

Overview:        In the face of rising energy costs and environmental concerns, the agricultural sector is challenged with reducing its energy consumption while maintaining productivity. One area of focus is traditional well pumping, which consumes a significant amount of energy in agriculture. However, this presents an opportunity for integration with renewable energy sources. Solar Irrigate addresses this need by accurately predicting the power generation capabilities of solar PV systems specifically for well pumping applications. This software aligns with the global trend towards sustainable agriculture and the growing adoption of solar energy solutions. It caters to a diverse market that includes farmers, rural development agencies, water resource managers, and environmental organizations.

 Description:    Solar Irrigate utilizes the pvlib Python library to simulate the energy generation of fixed-tilt solar PV systems. Unlike other tools, it specifically focuses on well pumping applications and evaluates the potential of solar power to meet the energy needs of well pumps. One notable feature is its capability to model various well pump sizes, ranging from 1 to 1500 horsepower, and seamlessly integrate with ArcGIS using Python scripting. This integration enhances its usefulness for planning and analysis purposes. While Solar Irrigate shares similarities with NREL's PVWatts, it sets itself apart by catering to the specialized requirements of agricultural well pumping.

Benefits:          

• Energy Cost Reduction: Helps farmers reduce operational expenses through solar energy use.
• Sustainable Farming Practices: Promotes eco-friendly agriculture with renewable energy integration.
• Diverse Pump Compatibility: Models a wide range of well pumps, enhancing its applicability.
• Customized Energy Assessments: Tailors predictions to individual well pumping requirements.
• Integration with ArcGIS: Enables advanced spatial analysis for precise energy planning.
• Expert-Level Tool: Provides detailed insights for informed decision-making in agricultural energy management.

Applications:    

• Agricultural Energy Management: Tailored for farmers and agriculturalists to optimize well pumping costs.
• Rural Development: Useful for agencies in planning sustainable rural infrastructure.
• Water Resource Management: Assists in efficient water usage powered by solar energy.
• Sustainable Practices Advocacy: Valuable for NGOs in promoting renewable energy in agriculture.
• Solar Energy Businesses: Enables precise customer consultations and installation planning.
• Research and Academia: Facilitates studies in sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.

Development Status:  Alpha - Requires an expert-level user and has a limited interface.

Partner with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for Access to Pioneering Technology and Mutual Growth

Managed by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, INL offers unique opportunities for businesses to access and license advanced technology. Our agreements are tailored to provide flexibility and affordability, particularly supporting small businesses in their growth and innovation endeavors. By licensing our intellectual property, you not only gain access to groundbreaking technology but also contribute to economic development and public welfare. We invite you to explore our technology portfolio, designed to give your organization a competitive edge in the market. Learn more about our licensing opportunities and the support we provide at: https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment. For specific discussions on how your business can benefit, please contact Andrew Rankin at td@inl.gov.

INL’s Technology Deployment department focuses exclusively on licensing intellectual property and partnering with industry collaborators capable of commercializing our innovations. Our goal is to commercialize the technologies developed by INL researchers. We do not engage in purchasing, manufacturing, procurement decisions, or providing funding. Additionally, this is not a call for external services to assist in the development of this technology.