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Thunderbird Solar
Solar Water Pumping
Thunderbird Solar offers two core system designs for solar water movement - solar VFD technology + traditional AC pumping equipment and specialized DC Brushless pump systems. Read the below for a brief description on each and click our brand logos below to review individual product offerings.
Solar VFD + AC Pump
This design uses innovative solar variable frequency drive technology to efficiently convert power from a solar array to drive traditional AC pumping equipment.
Advantages:
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Flexibility - pair with all 3 phase submersible or surface pumps within power specification of selected solar VFD.
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Reliable - specific pumps can be paired with drive that best match the hydraulic challenges of the system (sediment conditions,etc.).
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Large water volumes - these designs are capable of higher flow rates than their specialized solar counterparts.
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Disadvantages:
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Cost - for low flow (<10gpm), high head (250'+) applications these systems will tend to be more costly relative to specialized solar pumps. VFD systems compare more favorably in high flow (10gpm+) and low head (<250') project requirements.
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Higher panel counts - AC inductive motors are not as electrically efficient as DC brushless systems, thus requiring a higher panel count per system.
Specialized DC System
This design uses custom BLDC motors to operate specially designed helical and centrifugal pump ends off solar. This allows for a highly electrically efficient design and a reduced cost for applicable applications.
Advantages:
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Cost - for submersible pump application within the production range of this line of pumps, this is the lowest cost option and a very effective design.
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Electrical efficiency - these pumps are designed to be electrically efficient due to the use of BLDC motors and helical pump ends. This means a smaller solar panel footprint relative to the VFD system design.
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Disadvantages:
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Limited production capabilities - due to the custom submersible pump design, the systems are limited to the production capabilities of the pump. While production capabilities are wide, those that fall outside of this product line will need to revert to the VFD design.
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Water conditions - helical pump ends are more sensitive to the water conditions and are not equipped to handle harsh sediment. This line is best used with good water quality.
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Click the buttons below to learn more about our product lines
AC VFD Solar Products
Custom BLDC Solar Pump Line
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