Description
The 72 V solar centrifugal surface pump is Flocea’s reference model for agricultural irrigation and intensive livestock watering: 25,000 litres per hour, 72 V DC supply, brushless permanent-magnet motor, built-in MPPT. Its decisive advantage over the 96 V: it reaches the same 25,000 L/h with just 1,050 W of array — against 1,800 W for the 96 V — which cuts the total installation cost appreciably as long as your head does not exceed 18 m. No mains connection; array not included.
Recommended solar array: 1,050 W (not included). Total head: 18 m. Maximum suction lift: 8 m.
Full technical specification
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum flow (Q max) | 25,000 L/h |
| Total head (H max) | 18 m |
| Maximum suction lift | 8 m |
| Supply voltage | 72 V DC |
| Motor power | 0.75 kW / 1 hp |
| Recommended array power | 1,050 W |
| Motor type | Brushless permanent-magnet synchronous DC |
| Pump shaft | 304 S/S stainless steel |
| Inlet / outlet size | 2″ × 2″ (DN 50) |
| Electrical protection | IP65 (fully sealed) |
| Temperature range | -15°C to +60°C |
| MPPT controller | Built in |
| Display | Integrated LED status display |
| Dry-running protection | Automatic shutdown + restart after 30 min |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Solar panel | Not included |
💡 72 V or 96 V? Both pumps deliver 25,000 L/h. The 72 V needs 1,050 W of array against 1,800 W for the 96 V — 750 W less, the equivalent of two or three fewer standard panels to buy. Choose the 72 V if your total head (suction + delivery + friction losses) does not exceed 18 m. Choose the 96V if you need to lift higher (up to 24 m).
What is it designed for?
Large-scale agricultural irrigation
Sprinkler or drip irrigation over 3 to 8 ha from a hillside reservoir or a surface pond. Filling an agricultural pillow tank during the day for night-time irrigation — up to 150 m³ per sunny day.
Watering large herds
Cattle, sheep and goats — up to 250 head supplied from a reservoir or a shallow well. Complete autonomy where there is no mains supply. Mounted as a surface pump, with nothing lowered into a borehole.
Transferring and filling large volumes
Filling a 50 m³ tank in two hours. Transferring from a reservoir to a storage tank raised up to 18 m. Steady flow even in partial sun, thanks to the built-in MPPT.
Remote farm
Supplying a water point on a plot far from the mains. The pump sits on the surface and the array on a movable frame — the installation can be shifted as the season demands. Running cost: €0.
📍 A real-world example: a beef farm waters 180 cows from a hillside reservoir 1.5 m below the pump, delivering to troughs 12 m up on a sloping field. Effective head: 14 m — comfortably within the 72 V’s capability (18 m max). With three 350 Wp panels (1,050 W in total), it pumps 22,000 L/h in full sun. The water stored during the day in a 20 m³ pillow tank covers watering at night. Estimated saving on the electricity bill: €380 a year.
Solar surface pump set: installation and operation
The term solar surface pump set describes a motor-and-pump unit powered by a photovoltaic array and set on the surface beside the water source. That is exactly what the 72 V is: a compact unit to sit on a slab or a frame, with nothing lowered into a well and no cable trench.
Le built-in MPPT controller continuously matches the power drawn from the array to the light available. Under a clear midday sky the pump runs flat out (25,000 L/h). Early in the morning or under cloud the flow tapers off, but the pump keeps turning. That adaptability removes the surges and protects the motor.
To get the most out of the daily volume pumped, pair this solar surface pump set with a large-capacity pillow tank : that hydraulic buffer lets you use the water at night or under cloud, with no batteries and no extra cost.
⚠️ Suction limit: like any surface pump, the 72 V draws water from up to 8 m deep at most. For a borehole or well deeper than 8 m, a submersible pump is needed. If your total lift (suction plus delivery) exceeds 18 m, go for the 96 V pump. If in doubt, contact our team — free sizing.
Installation in 4 steps
No electrician and no cable trench. Allow half a day for a complete installation in the field or in the livestock building.
- Orient the panels (not included): facing south, tilted 30–35°, with nothing casting shade. Recommended power: 1,050 W (e.g. 3 × 350 Wp panels). Maximum array-to-pump distance: 10 m using 6 mm² DC cable.
- Wire up the MPPT controller : connect the array’s DC cable to the box built into the pump, observing polarity.
- Fit the suction hose : DN 50 (2″), length ≤ 15 m, with a foot valve at the end of the pipe on the source side. Never reduce the diameter on the suction side.
- Connect the discharge : DN 50 pipe to the tank, the reservoir or the irrigation system. Diameter reductions on the discharge side only.
💡 First priming: fill the pump body by hand before the very first start. After that the foot valve keeps it primed automatically on every start — one of the advantages of a surface pump over a submersible: servicing is within reach, with no need to climb down the well.
Where this model sits in the range
The 72 V is the best choice when you need the maximum flow (25,000 L/h) at a lower installation cost — fewer panels than the 96 V. It gives way to the 96 V only when the real head goes above 18 m.
| Model | Max flow | Max head | Array | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 V solar pump | 3,000 L/h | 35 m | 600 W | Garden, booster set, small livestock |
| 48 V centrifugal pump | 5,000 L/h | 30 m | 700 W | Market gardening, off-grid home |
| 72 V solar surface pump set | 25,000 L/h | 18 m | 1,050 W | Agriculture, livestock, large volumes |
| 96 V centrifugal pump | 25,000 L/h | 24 m | 1,800 W | Head above 18 m, intensive agriculture |
To work out your head and choose between the 72 V and the 96 V, see our complete guide to solar water pumps.
Frequently asked questions about the 72 V solar surface pump set
What is the difference between the 72 V and 96 V solar pumps?
Both models deliver 25,000 L/h. The difference lies in the head and the array power: the 72 V reaches 18 m of head with 1,050 W of array; the 96V reaches 24 m with 1,800 W. If your total lift (suction + delivery + friction losses) is under 18 m, the 72 V gives the same flow for a smaller outlay on panels.
Which solar array should be used with the 72 V pump set?
The pump runs in 72 V DC. The recommended total power is 1,050 W — that is, for example, three 350 Wp panels wired in series/parallel to reach the required voltage and power. You can go up to 1,300 W without risk to the built-in MPPT controller.
What area can this solar pump set irrigate?
At 25,000 L/h (6.9 L/s), with standard sprinkler irrigation (10 mm/h), this pump set covers roughly 2.5 hectares continuously. With drip (lower flow but enough pressure over a wider area), coverage can exceed 5 ha depending on how the system is laid out. These figures depend on your real head and the pressure your emitters need.
Does this pump work in cloudy weather?
Yes, at reduced flow. Under overcast skies the array produces 15 to 30% of its rated power, and flow falls to 4,000–8,000 L/h. The recommended answer is to fill a pillow tank as a buffer during the sunny hours, so there is a reserve when it clouds over or for irrigating at night.
Can this pump be used on a 12-metre well?
No. The maximum suction lift is 8 metres. For a well of 12 m or more, a solar submersible pump is essential. If your well is exactly 8 m, some safety margin is advisable. Get in touch to check whether your project is feasible.
What does a 72 V solar pump set cost in total (pump plus panels)?
The pump is sold without panels. For the complete set-up you need to add three 350 Wp panels (1,050 W in total) and their mounting frame. As a guide, the total cost of a complete installation (pump + panels + frame + wiring + pipework) usually falls between €2,500 and €4,000 depending on the components chosen. Ask for a quotation for your particular project.
How long does this solar pump set last?
The brushless motor has an estimated life of 10 to 15 years in normal use. The mechanical seals should be inspected every three to five years. The foot valve, the main wearing part, should be replaced if the flow drops for no obvious reason (an inexpensive part, €5–15). Manufacturer’s warranty: 2 years. The solar array has a life of 25 to 30 years.
The 72 V solar centrifugal surface pump in brief:
- 25,000 L/h — the maximum agricultural flow, the same as the 96 V
- 18 m head — perfect for installations with little lift (flat land, pasture)
- 1,050 W array — 750 W less than the 96 V, a cheaper installation
- Surface pump set — servicing within reach, installation without drilling
- Brushless motor with stainless parts — 10 to 15 years of life, minimal upkeep
- Ideal alongside a Flocea pillow tank for irrigation and watering at night
Need to compare the 72 V and the 96 V for your project? Contact our technical team — reply within 24 hours, free sizing.
