With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements:
- 1.Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps.
- 2.Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not the ones with piston.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Neither statement is correct. A solar panel only supplies electricity, so it can drive any suitable motor-pump: the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy's own specification lists both surface and submersible pump sets for solar water pumping, and piston (positive-displacement) pumps can be powered too.
- ✗ 1. MNRE's specification says solar photovoltaic water pumping systems may use a surface mono-set or a submersible motor-pump set.
- ✗ 2. MNRE's PM-KUSUM material names two types of solar water pump, centrifugal and positive displacement, and MNRE has a separate specification for solar pumping systems with positive-displacement pumps. Solar power is not limited to centrifugal pumps.
Remember · Solar pumps are just electric pumps fed by panels: surface or submersible, AC or DC, centrifugal or positive-displacement can all be used.
Sources
- Specification and testing procedure for Solar Photovoltaic Water Pumping Systems, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (updated, February 2023) ↗ “The SPV water pumping systems may use any of the following types of motor pump sets: a) Surface Mono-set b) Submersible motor-pump set.”
- PM-KUSUM (MNRE), Type of solar water pumps and different components ↗ “There are namely two general types of pumps used in solar water pumping applications - centrifugal and positive displacement. Both centrifugal and positive displacement pumps can be further classified as:”
- MNRE, Annexure A: Solar Water Pumping Systems with Positive Displacement Pump ↗ “The specification covers the technical requirements for Solar Photo Voltaic Water Pumping Systems using positive displacement technology for handling clear cold water covering design qualification s and performance specifications.”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2020, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·