Puzzlingly low utilization of solar irrigation pumps by smallholders in Nepal undermines cost-effectiveness

Dan Oziel; Aditi Mukherji; Nabina Lamichhane; Ram Fishman

doi:10.1088/1748-9326/ad8c6b

Puzzlingly low utilization of solar irrigation pumps by smallholders in Nepal undermines cost-effectiveness

Dan Oziel^*, Aditi Mukherji, Nabina Lamichhane, Ram Fishman

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Solar powered irrigation pumps (SIP) hold substantial potential for low carbon irrigation expansion, particularly where affordable electricity is limited. In contrast to diesel-based irrigation, which carries steep fuel costs, irrigation by SIP requires zero marginal costs, but high initial investments. This makes their competitiveness with diesel pumps highly dependent on the temporal frequency of their usage. Using unique and detailed data on SIP usage by smallholders in Nepal, we show SIP usage frequency is low, making it financially competitive with diesel for only a small fraction of farmers. We analyze characteristics of farmers who make low/high usage of the SIP, and explore potential explanations for the puzzling low level of SIP use.

Original language	English
Article number	124062
Journal	Environmental Research Letters
Volume	19
Issue number	12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad8c6b
State	Published - 1 Dec 2024

Keywords

groundwater
mitigation
renewable energy
rural development
solar irrigation pumps

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1088/1748-9326/ad8c6b

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title = "Puzzlingly low utilization of solar irrigation pumps by smallholders in Nepal undermines cost-effectiveness",

abstract = "Solar powered irrigation pumps (SIP) hold substantial potential for low carbon irrigation expansion, particularly where affordable electricity is limited. In contrast to diesel-based irrigation, which carries steep fuel costs, irrigation by SIP requires zero marginal costs, but high initial investments. This makes their competitiveness with diesel pumps highly dependent on the temporal frequency of their usage. Using unique and detailed data on SIP usage by smallholders in Nepal, we show SIP usage frequency is low, making it financially competitive with diesel for only a small fraction of farmers. We analyze characteristics of farmers who make low/high usage of the SIP, and explore potential explanations for the puzzling low level of SIP use.",

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AU - Fishman, Ram

PY - 2024/12/1

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N2 - Solar powered irrigation pumps (SIP) hold substantial potential for low carbon irrigation expansion, particularly where affordable electricity is limited. In contrast to diesel-based irrigation, which carries steep fuel costs, irrigation by SIP requires zero marginal costs, but high initial investments. This makes their competitiveness with diesel pumps highly dependent on the temporal frequency of their usage. Using unique and detailed data on SIP usage by smallholders in Nepal, we show SIP usage frequency is low, making it financially competitive with diesel for only a small fraction of farmers. We analyze characteristics of farmers who make low/high usage of the SIP, and explore potential explanations for the puzzling low level of SIP use.

AB - Solar powered irrigation pumps (SIP) hold substantial potential for low carbon irrigation expansion, particularly where affordable electricity is limited. In contrast to diesel-based irrigation, which carries steep fuel costs, irrigation by SIP requires zero marginal costs, but high initial investments. This makes their competitiveness with diesel pumps highly dependent on the temporal frequency of their usage. Using unique and detailed data on SIP usage by smallholders in Nepal, we show SIP usage frequency is low, making it financially competitive with diesel for only a small fraction of farmers. We analyze characteristics of farmers who make low/high usage of the SIP, and explore potential explanations for the puzzling low level of SIP use.

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KW - mitigation

KW - renewable energy

KW - rural development

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Puzzlingly low utilization of solar irrigation pumps by smallholders in Nepal undermines cost-effectiveness

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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