Practicality of using solar energy for cassava irrigation in the Guangxi Autonomous Region, China

Cassava is an important cash crop in the Guangxi Autonomous Region. However, the water required to sustain it is not consistent with the temporal and spatial distribution of local precipitation, and hence irrigation is necessary. Solar water pumping is an effective method for cassava irrigation. This study analyzes the temporal and spatial distribution of cassava; discusses the potential and distribution for the use of solar energy for irrigation; and finally considers the main factors, such as precipitation and slope, influencing the feasibility of using a solar water pumping system to irrigate cassava. The results indicate that solar water pumping would be appropriate to irrigate a notional total of 718,500 ha of cassava, with the results currently applicable to a region of 623,000 ha.