Bernie's Farm Innovation - Solar Powered Pumps

Posted by Bernie Rochester

Robyn introduced Bernie, our longest serving member, who is one of only two pecan nut farmers in Australia, and the only one in WA.

Bernie gave members an overview of his nut farming operations and in particular an initiative last year where he installed pumps running on solar generated electricity.

The pumps are three-phase unit, starting direct-on-line, and pump around 1000 litres per hour. The pumps are robust, and alternating current, means they have no brushes nor commutators, and there is no additional connection to the normal electricity grid. Each solar panel produces 1200 watts and the pumps output to a 5 inch pipe that flows down to the orchard.

Bernie spoke about how the trees are grown from grafts and take 15 years before they start to produce, which is the reason for so few growers in Australia. The nuts are picked, or more accurately shaken from the trees by a machine, in two harvest per year, the first commencing this coming month. Recently planted 1000 more trees and is also planting other nut types.

Rod Cross gave Bernie a vote of thanks for imparting his kernels of information and shelling out some capital for a great innovation.

For a view of Bernie's Presentation, click here. And to watch the video, click here.