Water that runs on sunlight. Survey to handover, one team.
Most clients come to us with two separate problems: they need a borehole and they need to power the pump without a grid connection or diesel costs. We solve both under one contract — from the hydrogeological survey to commissioning the solar array.
Why one contractor beats two
The pump is sized from your actual yield data.
When a borehole contractor drills and a separate solar company installs the pump and array, the solar company never sees the test-pump data. They estimate the yield. That means oversized panels, undersized panels, or a pump that overpumps the borehole.
We carry out the test pumping ourselves — so the solar pump and array are sized from the actual yield of that specific borehole, not from a standard chart. The result is a system that runs at the right rate without overpumping.
- One warranty covering everything Survey to array
- Pump sized from real test-pump data Not an estimate
- Solar array sized to actual pump demand From yield data
- Zero diesel or KPLC costs for pumping Daylight pumping
- One point of contact throughout No contractor handoffs
The 4-step process
From survey to the first litre.
Hydrogeological survey & siting
Surface geophysics to map the subsurface and identify the optimal drill point. Includes WRA drilling permit application. The survey data also informs the system design for the solar pump.
Drilling, test pumping & water quality
Drilling, casing, development and constant-rate test pumping. Yield, rest water level, drawdown and recovery data are measured and documented. Water samples sent to an accredited lab.
Pump, tank & distribution installation
Submersible solar pump sized from test-pump data. Rising main, wellhead and headworks, ground or elevated storage tank, distribution piping — all installed and pressure-tested.
Solar array, controller & commissioning
Solar panels, mounting structure, solar pump controller and protection devices — sized to the pump's power demand and the site's solar resource. System commissioned, tested and handed over with full documentation.
Who it's for
Built for places without reliable mains water or power.
Farms & irrigation
High daily water volumes for drip, sprinkler or flood irrigation. Solar pumping eliminates the diesel cost that makes off-grid irrigation uneconomical at scale.
Schools & health facilities
Reliable water for WASH, labs and sanitation. Solar removes dependence on a grid that may be unreliable or not yet reached the site.
Hotels, lodges & camps
Guests expect water 24 hours a day. An elevated tank charged during daylight hours by a solar pump provides gravity supply around the clock.
Residential estates
A borehole with solar pumping ends dependence on water rationing and expensive tanker deliveries — and the monthly running cost is effectively zero.
NGOs & county programmes
Community water points with no grid connection and no recurring fuel costs — suitable for procurement by NGOs, water utilities and county governments.
Churches & institutions
A standalone water supply for a large compound, with solar power eliminating the ongoing electricity cost of running a borehole pump.
Cost drivers
What drives the quote.
Drilling depth
The largest single variable — determined by the hydrogeological survey and confirmed by drilling. We price per metre drilled beyond a fixed depth.
Daily water demand
How many litres per day the site needs determines the pump size, tank capacity and solar array size.
Storage type
Ground-level plastic tanks are low cost. Elevated steel or concrete tanks for gravity-fed distribution are more expensive but remove the need for a secondary pump.
Site distance
Drilling rig mobilisation beyond Nairobi adds logistics cost. We confirm this transparently in every quote.
Typical timeline
- 01Survey & permit application — 1–2 days on site. WRA permit: 2–4 weeks.
- 02Drilling & test pumping — 3–10 days depending on depth and geology. Lab results in 3–5 working days.
- 03Procurement — pump, solar equipment and tank. 1–2 weeks depending on availability.
- 04Equipping & solar installation — 3–7 days on site.
- 05Commissioning & handover — full documentation, operation training, warranty.
Total: typically 6–10 weeks from survey to handover, depending on WRA permit timeline.
Common questions
Solar borehole FAQs.
Yes, for most smallholder and medium-scale irrigation applications. A solar pump running on 6–8 peak sun hours per day can lift several thousand litres. The key is sizing the pump and storage tank to match your daily irrigation demand. We calculate this from your water need and the borehole's yield.
The solar pump runs only when there is sufficient sunlight — typically from mid-morning to late afternoon. The system pumps water into a storage tank during daylight, so supply continues 24 hours from the tank. We size the tank to hold at least one day's consumption, usually two days' worth for safety.
Yes. We can configure the pump controller to allow grid or generator backup during extended cloudy periods. This is common for schools and health facilities where water supply cannot be interrupted. We quote this as an option alongside the pure solar system.
Usually no. Solar borehole pumps are designed to run directly from the panels — a large storage tank replaces the need for a battery. This keeps the system simple, reduces maintenance and brings the cost down. A battery bank is only recommended when continuous operation through the night is needed and a grid or generator backup is not an option.
Solar panels should be cleaned every 3–6 months (more often in dusty areas). The pump should be inspected annually and the water quality retested annually for potable use. We offer scheduled maintenance contracts that cover both the solar equipment and the borehole pump. The system is otherwise low-maintenance compared to a diesel pump.
Tell us your water need — we'll design the system.
Free hydrogeological survey and an itemised quote. No obligation.