| Power Type |
Primary Advantages |
Primary Limitations |
Initial Cost |
Maintenance Cost |
| Electric-Solar/DC Power |
- Long useful life.
- Low maintenance costs.
- Free energy.
|
- Expensive initial cost.
- Needs to be coupled with water storage.
|
$$-$$$ |
$ |
| Electric - AC |
- Continuous power to pump.
- Low operational costs.
|
- Must be within reasonable distance of electric grid.
- Initial cost of meter and electrical line installation to site can be expensive.
|
$ |
$ |
| Air |
- Simple technology.
- Long life, low maintenance.
- Free energy.
|
- Dependent upon wind.
- Needs to be coupled with water storage.
|
$$ |
$ |
| Gravity |
- Free energy.
- Inexpensive.
- Dependable.
|
- Low pressure.
- Not suitable to all locations.
- Advance planning necessary when installing in new pond.
|
$$ |
$ |
| Wind |
- Free energy.
- Long life.
- Adapted to remote locations.
|
- Dependent upon wind.
- Needs to be coupled with water storage.
|
$$ |
$ |
| Animal |
- Simple, rugged, portable.
- Use with ponds, streams, shallow wells.
- Inexpensive.
|
- One unit required for every 25 cattle.
- Will draw water about 20 feet vertically or 200 feet horizontally.
- Labor intensive maintenance.
|
$ |
$$ |
| Water |
- Inexpensive.
- Free energy.
- Low maintenance.
|
- Requires year-round surface water flow.
- Limited output.
- May not work well in winter.
|
$ |
$ |