Why solar tube wells make sense for Pakistani farms
A diesel tube well in 2026 burns roughly PKR 3,500–5,000 per hour in fuel alone — without counting maintenance, oil changes, or engine wear. A grid-electricity tube well runs cheaper but is hostage to loadshedding and rising agricultural tariff slabs.
A solar tube well runs as long as the sun shines, with no fuel bill and minimal maintenance. The system pays back in 2 to 4 years on diesel replacement; with the CM Punjab subsidy, payback drops to under 12 months for many farms.
AC vs DC solar pumps
The two architectures, with trade-offs:
| DC solar pump | AC solar pump (with inverter) | |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Higher (no DC→AC loss) | Standard |
| Replacement parts | Specialist controllers | Standard 3-phase motor — easy to source anywhere |
| Use existing pump? | No — DC pump only | Yes if 3-phase induction |
| Best for | New install, off-grid | Existing pump conversion |
For most Pakistani farms with an existing AC tube well motor, we recommend AC + VFD inverter — your existing pump and bore stay; we add panels, a solar pump inverter (Goodwe SDT, Solis S5-GR3P, or specialist Chinese pump inverters), and the interconnection. Cheaper and uses parts your pump mistri already knows.
What it costs in 2026
Indicative installed prices (panels, structure, inverter or controller, cabling, switchgear — excluding borewell drilling):
| Pump size | Solar capacity | Indicative price (PKR) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 HP | ~3 kW | 350,000 – 450,000 |
| 5 HP | ~5 kW | 550,000 – 650,000 |
| 7.5 HP | ~7 kW | 800,000 – 950,000 |
| 10 HP | ~10 kW | 1,020,000 – 1,200,000 |
| 15 HP | ~15 kW | 1,400,000 – 1,650,000 |
| 20 HP | ~20 kW | 1,600,000 – 1,850,000 |
| 25 HP | ~25 kW | 2,100,000 – 2,400,000 |
Borewell drilling, if needed, runs separately at roughly PKR 600–1,000 per foot depending on geology. Most existing diesel tube wells already have a usable bore.
CM Punjab Solar Tubewell Programme — what we know
The Punjab government's Solar Tubewell Programme runs in phases. Phase 1 targeted 8,000 tubewells with subsidy up to ~80% of the system cost, prioritising small and medium farmers. Eligibility, allocation per district, and application deadlines shift between phases — confirm current eligibility before committing.
What we do:
- Check your district allocation and eligibility.
- Help compile the documentation pack — land record (fard), CNIC, existing tube well registration, photos.
- Provide the AEDB-compliant technical proposal the programme requires.
- Coordinate the post-approval installation against the approved scope.
If the subsidy isn't available in your district or has been exhausted, we still install at our standard rates with bank financing options.
Will it run all day?
A solar tube well runs whenever there's enough irradiance to spin the pump — typically 6 to 9 hours per day in summer (April–September) and 4 to 6 hours per day in winter (November–February). Daily water output varies with irradiance.
For farms that need guaranteed 24-hour pumping (cattle farms, dairy operations), we add a hybrid configuration: solar runs the pump by day, a smaller battery bank or grid hookup runs it at night. Otherwise the standard solar-only configuration is the most cost-effective.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 10 HP solar tube well cost in Pakistan?
A 10 HP solar tube well runs PKR 1,020,000 to 1,200,000 fully installed in 2026, excluding borewell drilling. With the CM Punjab subsidy (where available), out-of-pocket cost can drop below PKR 250,000 for eligible small farmers.
Am I eligible for the CM Punjab Solar Tubewell subsidy?
Eligibility depends on land holding size, district allocation, existing tube well registration, and current programme phase. We check your eligibility against the latest criteria for free during the site survey. If you're eligible, we help compile the application pack.
Can I convert my existing diesel tube well to solar?
Yes if your existing pump is a 3-phase AC induction motor — we add panels and a solar pump inverter alongside the existing pump and bore. If it's a single-phase or specialist DC pump, conversion may need a pump replacement.
How long does the installation take?
A 5–10 HP solar tube well install takes 2–3 working days once equipment is on site. Full timeline from inquiry to running pump is typically 7–14 days. Larger 20–25 HP systems take 4–5 working days.
What about water output during the monsoon and cloudy days?
Cloud cover reduces output proportionally — heavy overcast in monsoon afternoons can drop the pump to 30–40% of peak rate. Most farms compensate by pumping early-morning and late-afternoon when irradiance is more stable, and by sizing the array slightly larger than the pump's nameplate.
Does the borewell come included?
No — borewell drilling is a separate scope at roughly PKR 600–1,000 per foot depending on geology and depth. Most existing diesel tube wells already have a usable bore that we can repurpose for solar.
What warranty comes with a solar tube well system?
Panels: 12-year product warranty plus 20-year linear performance warranty. Pump inverter: 5–7 years. Pump motor: manufacturer's standard (typically 1–2 years for AC induction motors, 2–5 for solar-specific submersibles). RaySmartSolar workmanship: 2 years.