Futurepump SF2

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$899.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Futurepump has distributors for the SF2 in 12 countries and it is also available for purchase directly from the Futurepump factory.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include GF1 Submersible Solar Pump, Grundfos SQFlex pumps, SunCulture SP-300 Solar Pumping System, and Lorentz PS600 CS-F.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Futurepump manufactures and assembles the pumps at their bespoke manufacturing facility in Rajkot, India. They have internal quality controls in place at the factory to ensure high standards.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

The Futurepump SF2 can be purchased from Futurepump’s distributors or directly from their factory.

Distributions to Date Status

By 2020, 5000 pumps had been distributed.Interview with representative

Design Specifications

At shallow heads, the Futurepump SF2 solar water pump can deliver up to 1 l/s, which is 3,600 l/hr (120W).

• Inlet side vertical suction limit: 7 meters
• Maximum total vertical lift: 15 meters
• Horizontal discharge: 500m+

• Maximum pump voltage: 60V DC
• Maximum motor current: 5 amps DC
• Piston diameter: 104mm
• Inlet/outlets designed for 11/4 (32mm) pipe
• Displacement volume per stroke: 150cm3
• Normal flywheel RPM range: 100-250 rpm
• 90mm pulley gear for 0–8m pumping heads
• 50mm pulley gear for >8m pumping heads

• Minute-by-minute monitoring of pump vital signs – technical data displayed on a web dashboard accessible to distributors
• Monitoring of pump utilization, including liters of water pumped, potential area irrigated, fuel savings, kWh produced
• Pump geo-location tracking

• Pump weight: 19.5kg
• Pump dimensions: 520mm x 530mm x 200mm
• SF2 (80W) – Carton weight (incl 80W PV & suction pipe): 36.7kg; Carton dimensions: 580mm x 360mm x 740mm
• SF2 (120W) – Two cartons: Pump – Carton weight 26 kg approx.; Carton dimensions: 550 x 250 x 550mm; Panels – Carton weight 22kg approx.; Carton dimensions: 710 x 500 x 180mm
• Supplied with flexible inlet/suction pipe: Internal diameter of 31.8 mm, external diameter 38.8mm. 6000mm length

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Technical support (servicing and parts) is provided for free by the distributor for pumps during the warranty period.

Replacement Components

The SF2 comes with spare parts and a toolkit including:

• Toolkit: Three sizes of spanner, double-ended screwdriver. Complete disassembly and reassembly possible with these tools.
• Spare parts:
  • 3 x spare transmission belts
  • 3 x spare piston seals
  • 4 x adjustable hose clips
  • 2 x 11/4 inch pipe couplers
  • 2 x 11/4” ->11/2inchreducers
  • 1 x inlet filter/strainer
  • 1 x pack stuffing box graphite packing rope
  • 1 x complete set of spare o-ring seals

Lifecycle

The product's lifecycle is 1 - 5 years. A warranty is provided of 5 years if the product is purchased from a distributor or 1 year if purchased directly from Futurepump's factory.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The manufacturer specifies the following performance targets:

• At shallow heads, the Futurepump SF2 solar water pump can deliver up to 1 l/s, which is 3,600 l/hr (120W).
• Inlet side vertical suction limit: 7 meters
• Maximum total vertical lift: 15 meters
• Horizontal discharge: 500m+

Vetted Performance Status

VeraSol tested the Futurepump SF2 at the Schatz Energy Research Center in July 2019 and found that with 80 W from solar panels, a maximum head of 13.3 m is achieved. Other performance parameters were also tested and a product quality inspection was performed which found the SF2 to be of 'Good' quality (the highest on their scale). The Global LEAP Awards also tested the Futurepump SF2 in 2019, their results included that the SF2 can pump a total volume per day of 9.2 m³/day on a sunny, high irradiance day.

Safety

No known safety hazards are related to this product.

Complementary Technical Systems

The Futurepump SF2 Datasheet lists several accessories that complement the pump. The Futurepump SF2 solar water pump is compatible with:

• Direct irrigation using a hosepipe
• Sprinklers (available from Futurepump)
• Drip
• Overhead tanks

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

The Futurepump SF2 solar water pump is manufactured in India by Futurepump in their factory which uses an ISO 9001:2015-certified quality management system.

Other Information

• The Futurepump SF2 is the successor to the SF1, which was based upon the Sunflower pump designed by PRACTICA who provides technical support to Futurepump.
• A video from Futurepump showing the SF2 in use.
• Datasheet in pdf format.
• Futurepump is looking for new partners to join their global network of distributors for their SE1 and SF2 solar-powered surface water pumps for irrigation.
• Futurepump also offers field testing services for the testing of “new and exciting renewable energy products for developing emerging markets” at their field testing station in Kisumu, Western Kenya.
• Draws water from shallow water sources