A 10kW wind-electric water pumping system was tested for field crop irrigation at pumping depths from 50 to 120 m. The wind turbine for this system used a permanent magnet alternator that powered off-the-shelf submersible motors and pumps without the use of an inverter. Pumping performance was determiend at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Wind Energy Laboratory in Bushland, TX for the 10kW win turbine usign a pressure valve and a pressure tank to simulate different pumping depths. Pumping performance was measured for two 10kW wind turbines of hte same type at farms near the cities of Garden City, TX and stiles, TX. The pumping performance data collected at these actual wells compared favorably with the data collected at the USDA-ARS, wind Energy Laboratory. If utility generated electricity was accessible, payback on the wind turbine dependend on the cost of utility generated electricity and the transmission line extension cost.
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