Solar Pumps vs. Windmill Pumps vs. Generator vs. Grid — Full 5 Year Cost Analysis
Having seen and heard lot of misinformation over the years about the total cost of installing and running a variety of different water pumping options, we thought we’d spend some time analyzing the options and comparing the upfront costs, the operating expenses, and labor/maintenance. Using 500 gallons per day.
RPS Solar Pump |
Grid AC Pump |
Windmill Pump |
Generator AC Pump |
|
| RPS 200 with ‘Turnkey’ kit | 220V AC Pump – 1hp | 25′ Steel Rig, 8ft diameter | 220V AC Pump – 1hp | |
| UPFRONT COSTS | ||||
| Cost of system | $1,968 | $600 | $8,500 | $600 |
| Other Parts (pipe, etc) | Included | $200 | $100 | $200 |
| Grid Hookup / Pole | $0 | $1,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Installation | $0 | $400 | $1,000 | $400 |
| Electrician | $0 | $200 | $0 | $50 |
| Trenching | $0 | $200 | $0 | $0 |
| Total cost upfront | $1,968 | $2,600 | $9,600 | $1,250 |
| OPERATING COSTS | ||||
| Cost of gas per hour | $0 | $0 | $0 | $2.00 |
| Monthly Service Fee to Power Co | $0 | $10.00 | $0 | $0 |
| Estimated cost per gallon to pump | $0 | $0.002 | $0 | $0.004 |
| Total operating cost after 1 year | $0 | $485 | $0 | $730 |
| Total operating cost after 5 years | $0 | $2,425 | $0 | $3,650 |
| LABOR | ||||
| Weekly Labor in Hours | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| — Involved Weekly | Driving, starting and running generator | |||
| Yearly Labor / Maintenance in Hours | 3 | 3 | 15 | 6 |
| — Involved in Maintenance | Clean Solar Panels twice a year | Write Checks and curse at the Power Company | Grease Bearings, Replace Leathers as needed | Oil change, general generator maintenance |
| Total hours labor in 5 years | 15 | 15 | 75 | 530 |
| Cost of Labor at $10/hr | $150 | $150 | $750 | $5,300 |
| RPS Solar Pump | Grid AC Pump | Windmill Pump | Generator AC Pump | |
| TOTAL COST AFTER 5 YEARS | $2,118 | $5,175 | $10,350 | $10,400 |
| $ | $$ (2x) | $$$$$ (5x) | $$$$$$ (5x) |
We’ve heard lots of different numbers (especially for running Utility Power to a remote well!) so let us know what you think.
Call our friendly team anytime. 888-637-4493