Types of Solar Pumps: Surface, Submersible & Deep Well Pumps
Introduction :
Choosing the right equipment depends entirely on your water source. Whether you are drawing from a shallow pond or a 500-foot borewell, understanding the types of solar pumps is the key to a reliable water supply. At Morca, we design our systems to handle the diverse terrains of India, ensuring every drop is pumped efficiently using nothing but sunlight.
What Is a Solar Water Pump and How Does It Work?
A solar-powered pump is a modern solution that replaces expensive diesel pumps, motor pumps and unreliable grid power from normal electric pumps. The process is straightforward: solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into DC ( Direct current) electricity. This power goes through a solar pump inverter or controller, which manages the energy to drive the solar motor pump.
Because these Types of Solar Pumps are independent, they are perfect for remote farms. A Morca solar pumping system is built to start automatically as the sun rises, providing water throughout the day without any manual effort or fuel costs.
Surface Solar Pumps: Features, Uses, and Benefits
A solar surface pump is installed above the ground, near the water source. It uses suction to pull water from shallow depths, usually up to 20 feet.
- Best For: Ponds, lakes, tanks, and open wells where the water is easily accessible.
- Features: Morca’s surface models, like our solar monoblock pump range, are compact and easy to move if needed.
- Benefits: These are generally the most affordable types of solar pumps. They are easy to maintain because every component is accessible on the surface.
- 2026 Price Note: Morca surface pumps (like the MPIBW series) start from approximately ₹22,231 for a 96V model.
Submersible Solar Pumps for Borewells and Deep Water
When your water source is deep underground, a solar submersible pump is necessary. These units are designed to be lowered directly into the water, where they push the water upward. So it is important in understanding these Types of Solar Pumps to know what suits your operations.
- Best For: Standard borewells (up to 200–300 feet) and agricultural irrigation.
- Features: These utilise DC submersible pump technology. Morca’s BLDC (Brushless DC) motors are 15-20% more efficient than standard motors, meaning they can pump more water even when the sun is not at its peak.
- 2026 Pricing: A complete 1 HP solar submersible system typically costs between ₹97,749 and ₹1,30,000, including panels and installation.
Deep Well Solar Pumps for High Water Lifting Applications
For locations where the water table has dropped significantly, a specialised solar-powered submersible pump for deep wells is the only reliable choice. These are “high-head” pumps, engineered with multiple stages to lift water from 500 feet or more.
- Best For: Deep borewells in dry regions and large-scale solar-powered irrigation systems.
- Features: Morca’s solar water well pump models feature SS-304/316 stainless steel construction to withstand high pressure and resist rust over a 15–20 year lifespan.
- 2026 Pricing: Our high-speed deep well models (like the 4MPAC series) range from ₹48,000 to ₹67,000 for the pump unit itself, with full 3 HP to 5 HP systems going up to ₹3.8 Lakh.
Surface vs Submersible vs Deep Well Solar Pumps: Comparison
| Feature | Surface Pump | Submersible Pump | Deep Well Pump |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Water Source
|
Ponds/Shallow Wells
|
Standard Borewells
|
Deep Borewells
|
|
Max Lift (Head)
|
Up to 20-50 Feet
|
150 – 300 Feet
|
300+ Feet
|
|
Efficiency
|
Moderate |
High (BLDC)
|
High (Multi-stage)
|
|
Maintenance
|
Very Easy
|
Moderate
|
Professional Needed
|
|
Primary Use
|
Garden / Tank Fill
|
1-3 Acre Farms
|
5+ Acre Estates
|
FAQ
The three primary types of solar pumps (for shallow water), Submersible Pumps (for borewells), and Deep Well Pumps (for high-lift applications).
It is a water lifting system powered by solar PV panels. It consists of panels, a solar pump controller, and a motor. It requires no grid electricity or diesel.
It depends on your water depth. For water less than 20 feet deep, a surface pump is best. For anything deeper, a solar-powered submersible pump is necessary.
Yes. In fact, Morca recommends “Direct-Drive” systems. Instead of storing energy in expensive batteries, you store the water in an overhead tank for use whenever you need it.
This varies by horsepower. A 1 HP pump usually requires 1,000W–1,200W of panels, while a 5HP solar-powered water pump for irrigation needs 4,500W–5,000W for optimal performance.
