Project Case · Mexico

46 kW Solar Irrigation Project with a 6-String PV Combiner Box in Mountainous Mexico

A solar-powered irrigation installation in mountainous terrain in Mexico combines an 84-module PV array,
a 6-string 1000 V PV combiner box, a 37 kW / 40 HP 380 V solar pump inverter and a 30 kW submersible pump.

6-string PV combiner box installed in a mountainous solar irrigation project in Mexico

Project Snapshot

System Configuration

The installation combines a 46 kW-class PV array, a 6-string 1000 V IP65 combiner box,
a 37 kW / 40 HP 380 V solar pump inverter and a 30 kW submersible pump for mountainous agricultural irrigation.

46 kW
PV array rating

84 × 550 W
PV modules

37 kW / 40 HP
380 V solar pump inverter

30 kW
Submersible pump

Project Item	Project Information
Country	Mexico
Application	Hilltop / mountainous agricultural irrigation
PV array	46 kW
PV modules	84 × 550 W high-efficiency modules
String configuration	6 strings × 14 modules
PV combiner box	6-string, 1000 V, IP65
Solar pump inverter	37 kW / 40 HP, 380 V
Water pump	30 kW submersible pump

PV Array Design

84 Modules Arranged as Six Strings of Fourteen

The project uses 84 high-efficiency 550 W solar modules arranged as six PV strings,
with fourteen modules connected in each string.

Module Rating

Each PV module is rated at 550 W under STC conditions.

String Layout

Fourteen modules are connected in each string, with six strings feeding the combiner box.

Terrain

The array was installed on uneven mountainous terrain, requiring a site-specific mounting layout.

Completed solar panel array for the Mexico irrigation project — Installed PV array on the project site.

Combiner Box

6-String 1000 V IP65 PV Combiner Box

Six PV strings are brought together through a 1000 V IP65 combiner box.
The enclosure integrates DC overcurrent, surge and reverse-current protection for the PV input side.

Component	Project Specification
Combiner box	6 string, 1000 V, IP65
DC MCCB	4P 100 A, 1000 V DC
DC fuse	1P 20 A, 1000 V DC
DC SPD	3P, 1000 V DC
Reverse-current protection	Anti-reverse diode

Exterior of the 6-string 1000 V PV combiner box installed in Mexico — Installed 6-string PV combiner box.

Internal DC protection components in the Mexico project PV combiner box — Internal fuse, SPD, switching and reverse-current protection components.

Combiner-box string count, fuse current, MCCB rating and SPD selection should be matched to the actual PV module
current, string quantity and system voltage. See the UFELE PV Combiner Box page
for current configurations.

Pumping System

37 kW Solar Pump Inverter Driving a 30 kW Submersible Pump

A 37 kW / 40 HP, 380 V solar pump inverter drives the 30 kW submersible pump.
For a similar project, inverter current capacity should be checked against the actual pump nameplate
together with the hydraulic duty and PV input range.

84 × 550 W PV Modules

6 PV Strings

1000 V PV Combiner Box

37 kW / 380 V Solar Pump Inverter

30 kW Submersible Pump

Hilltop Irrigation

Current UFELE solar pump inverter models and DC-input limits should be checked against the latest
FU9000SI technical data before specifying a new project.

Site Installation

Installation Work in Mountainous Terrain

Field installation was carried out on uneven mountainous terrain, including pipe routing and
preparation of the PV mounting structure.

Mountainous pumping projects require more than electrical sizing. Route elevation, pipe length, friction loss,
pump position and the delivery point all affect the final hydraulic duty.

Pipe installation work for the mountainous irrigation project in Mexico — Field installation work for the mountainous irrigation system.

Hydraulic Design

Electrical Sizing Must Be Matched to the Pumping Duty

The electrical configuration is only one part of a mountain irrigation system. Pump selection and expected
water output also depend on static water level, dynamic water level, delivery elevation, pipe length,
pipe diameter, friction loss and required flow.

Total Dynamic Head

Use the actual water level, vertical lift and pipe losses to calculate the operating head.

Pump Nameplate

Check motor voltage, phase, rated current and pump curve before confirming the inverter size.

Water Target

Required flow and daily water volume determine whether the selected pump and PV array can meet the irrigation demand.

Engineering Checklist

Data Required for a Similar Mountain Irrigation Project

Required Input	Why It Matters
Pump nameplate	Confirm voltage, phase, power and rated current
Static and dynamic water level	Establish the pumping head
Delivery-point elevation	Add vertical head in mountainous terrain
Required flow / daily water target	Define the hydraulic duty
Pipe length and diameter	Estimate friction loss
PV module Voc and Vmp	Check string voltage against inverter DC limits
PV module Isc / Imp	Review string-current and combiner protection ratings
Number of strings	Select combiner input quantity and output current
Minimum site temperature	Check cold-condition string Voc
Surge / lightning environment	Review SPD and grounding requirements

Related UFELE Resources