Which solar pump is better AC or DC?

A DC pump and an AC pump can be used for different applications, we don’t like to say one is better or worse. Plus, AC pumps can be converted into a solar pump easily with an inverter and some solar panels. RPS carries both DC and AC Solar pumps.

DC pumps are typically used for…
-smaller applications that require low to medium head or low to medium flow rates.
-applications that prefer less panels

AC pumps using solar are typically used for…
-any range of applications that require higher head (like deep wells, faraway tanks or high pressure irrigation), high volume flow rates (up to 400 GPM1)
-customers who don’t want to pull up their existing well pump. conversion of an ac pump is easy and straightforward
-projects that don’t mind a few extra solar panels to account for higher energy needed

Solar pump systems could use either a DC pump or an AC pump. The DC pump system is more straightforward because DC power is routed from the solar panels, down through a charge controller (usually MPPT) which directs the DC power directly to the DC pump. Usually DC pump systems require less solar panels, because the process of directing DC power to a DC pump is overall more efficient with power supply.

Whereas an AC pump, typically powered by 110V or 220V AC power, requires the use of a few more panels and an inverter. RPS Solar Pumps Pro pump line (Volume, Deep, Mid and Lakemaker) are all AC, three phase 220V pumps running of solar panels plus an inverter. The inverter is chopping up the DC power from the solar panels and making it into AC 220V three phase power for the pump. Some power is lost in the process due to inefficiencies that all inverters have, a few more solar panels usually offset the downstream losses.

How to convert an existing 110V or 220V AC pump into a solar pump?
Use one of the RPS kits! Either an Conversion Kit or a Water Secure. Find out more here:

RPS Pro Series – 5hp+ Custom Solar Water Pump Kits – RPS Solar Pumps

WaterSecure™ 3K Solar Backup for Well Pumps – RPS Solar Pumps

WaterSecure™ 6K Solar Backup for Well Pumps – RPS Solar Pumps

WaterSecure™ 12K Solar Backup for Well Pumps – RPS Solar Pumps