In 2015, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH hosted an exploratory workshop to better understand the potential of solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS) for developing countries.
In 2018, this report was prepared to take stock of the experiences with SPIS around the world. It includes insights on the following questions:
- What are the real costs and benefits of SPIS compared with other technologies?
- What rules, regulations and policies are needed to manage the risks and realise the potential of such systems?
- What are viable business models? How can smallholders benefit?
- How can the risk of groundwater depletion be addressed effectively?
- How can SPIS help to empower women and promote gender equity?
- What types of capacity development programmes are needed to support farmers, extension workers, local private sector, and others?
- What are the opportunities for knowledge exchange and technology transfer?
This report also highlights challenges associated with the uptake and use of SPIS, including access to finance, access to good quality products and services, and capacities on daily operation and maintenance. In addition, it looks at how different countries work to create an enabling environment for SPIS technologies, while managing the risks and challenges that come with it, and it stresses the importance of water resources assessments and planning to avoid increasing pressures on water resources.
In line with this, FAO and GIZ have also developed a Toolbox on Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) for advisors.