Solar Pumps vs. Windmill Pumps vs. Generator vs. Grid — Full 5 Year Cost Analysis

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Having seen and heard lot of misinformation over the years about the total cost of installing and running a variety of different water pumping options, we thought we’d spend some time analyzing the options and comparing the upfront costs, the operating expenses, and labor/maintenance. Using 500 gallons per day.

	RPS Solar Pump	Grid AC Pump	Windmill Pump	Generator AC Pump
	RPS 200 with ‘Turnkey’ kit	220V AC Pump – 1hp	25′ Steel Rig, 8ft diameter	220V AC Pump – 1hp
UPFRONT COSTS
Cost of system	$1,968	$600	$8,500	$600
Other Parts (pipe, etc)	Included	$200	$100	$200
Grid Hookup / Pole	$0	$1,000	$0	$0
Installation	$0	$400	$1,000	$400
Electrician	$0	$200	$0	$50
Trenching	$0	$200	$0	$0
Total cost upfront	$1,968	$2,600	$9,600	$1,250

OPERATING COSTS
Cost of gas per hour	$0	$0	$0	$2.00
Monthly Service Fee to Power Co	$0	$10.00	$0	$0
Estimated cost per gallon to pump	$0	$0.002	$0	$0.004
Total operating cost after 1 year	$0	$485	$0	$730
Total operating cost after 5 years	$0	$2,425	$0	$3,650

LABOR
Weekly Labor in Hours	0	0	0	2
— Involved Weekly				Driving, starting and running generator
Yearly Labor / Maintenance in Hours	3	3	15	6
— Involved in Maintenance	Clean Solar Panels twice a year	Write Checks and curse at the Power Company	Grease Bearings, Replace Leathers as needed	Oil change, general generator maintenance
Total hours labor in 5 years	15	15	75	530
Cost of Labor at $10/hr	$150	$150	$750	$5,300

	RPS Solar Pump	Grid AC Pump	Windmill Pump	Generator AC Pump
TOTAL COST AFTER 5 YEARS	$2,118	$5,175	$10,350	$10,400
	$	$$ (2x)	$$$$$ (5x)	$$$$$$ (5x)

We’ve heard lots of different numbers (especially for running Utility Power to a remote well!) so let us know what you think.
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