Solar Water Pumps
Solar DC water pumps for wells, stock tanks, ponds and irrigation, from 0.4 HP to 4 HP, sold as bare pumps or as kits with the panels and controller to run them. A solar pump runs whenever the sun is on the panels, with no battery, no inverter and no fuel, which is why it is the standard answer for water at a well or a pasture with no power line.
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Two types. Submersible pumps go down the well casing and lift from depth, sized by the depth of the water and the gallons per day you need. Transfer pumps sit beside a pond, creek or tank and move water across or slightly uphill at high volume. Every listing gives the pump's head and flow figures so you can check it against your well before buying.
The hybrid AC/DC models can also run from the grid or a generator on a dark day; choose one only if you actually need that backup, because a plain DC pump with a storage tank is cheaper and simpler. Give the finder your well depth and daily water and it will pick the pump; a licensed electrician should make any grid or generator connection.
Want remote tank-level control? The ROCKSOLAR Solar Pump Remote Gateway ($195) adds wireless pump start/stop and compatible Bluetooth sensor monitoring. Confirm pump-controller compatibility before ordering; tank-level control requires two gateways and compatible sensors.
Compare solar water pump kits
Kits include the pump, controller and solar panels to run it. Prices as of October 2026; head and flow figures for each model are on its listing.
| Type | Model | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submersible | 0.4 HP pump + panel kit | Shallow wells, a few stock tanks, garden | $899.99 |
| Submersible | 0.8 HP pump + panel kit | Household wells, small herds | $1,199.99 |
| Submersible | 1.34 HP pump + panel kit | Deeper wells, larger herds | $1,899.99 |
| Submersible | 1.61 HP pump + panel kit | Deep wells, ranch watering | $1,999.99 |
| Submersible | 2.41 HP pump + panel kit | High daily volume, irrigation | $2,499.99 |
| Submersible | 3 HP pump + panel kit | Large ranches, irrigation | $2,899.99 |
| Submersible | 4 HP pump + panel kit | Very deep wells, big irrigation | $3,799.99 |
| Hybrid AC/DC | 0.8–4 HP hybrid kits | Water every day, sun or not (grid or generator backup) | from $1,399.99 |
| Transfer | 0.4 HP transfer pump kit | Pond to tank, garden irrigation | $649.99 |
| Transfer | 1.07–3.75 HP transfer pumps and kits | Irrigation lines, moving water uphill | from $899.99 |
| With battery | 0.8 HP cattle package with 48V battery | Pumping at night or on cloudy days | $2,999.99 |
Pumping for a pool, pond or livestock? See solar pool pumps, solar pond pumps and pumps for livestock.
How to size a solar water pump
- Find total head: the depth to the water level in the well, plus the height from the wellhead to the top of the tank, plus about 10% for pipe friction.
- Work out daily water: about 10–20 gallons a day per cow, 2 per sheep or goat, and 50–100 per person for a household.
- Divide by sun hours: a solar pump does most of its work in about 6 hours of good sun, so gallons per day ÷ 6 ≈ the flow per hour you need at that head.
- Match the pump: pick the model whose head and flow figures on the listing meet both numbers, with some margin.
- Store water, not power: a storage tank holding 2–3 days of water is cheaper than batteries and covers cloudy days.
Solar water pump FAQs
Do solar water pumps need a battery?
No. A solar DC pump runs directly from the panels whenever the sun is out. Most systems store water in a tank instead of storing power in a battery. Choose a battery package or a hybrid AC/DC pump only if you need to pump at night.
How deep can a solar well pump pump?
It depends on the model; larger submersible pumps lift from much deeper wells. Check the maximum head on each listing against your well's total head.
Will a solar pump work on cloudy days?
It pumps less on cloudy days and stops at night. Size the tank for 2–3 days of water, or pick a hybrid pump that can run from the grid or a generator.
Submersible or transfer pump?
A submersible pump goes down a well and lifts water from depth. A transfer (surface) pump sits beside a pond, creek or tank and moves large volumes across or slightly uphill.
Can I install a solar water pump myself?
Many owners install the panels and pump themselves; the kits come with the controller and panels matched. A licensed electrician should make any connection to the grid or a generator.
Rather ask? Talk to an engineer.
