5 HP Solar Pump in India: Price, Specifications & Farm Guide

The Short Answer

A 5 HP solar pump costs ₹2,00,000–₹2,80,000 before subsidy and delivers 2,00,000–3,00,000 litres per day — enough to irrigate 6–10 acres. It handles borewells up to 400 feet deep, making it the workhorse for medium to large Indian farms. Under KUSUM Yojana, farmers pay ₹60,000–₹1,12,000.

5 HP Solar Pump Specifications

SpecificationValue
Motor power5 HP (3.7 kW)
Solar panels required6.0–7.5 kW (12–14 panels of 540W)
Daily water output2,00,000–3,00,000 litres (at 30m TDH)
Max head (submersible)300–400 feet
Operating hours6–8 hours/day
Borewell size needed5–6 inch minimum
Panel area needed250–350 sq ft

At 400 feet depth, output drops to approximately 80,000–1,20,000 litres/day. The 5 HP sweet spot is borewells at 150–350 feet.

5 HP Solar Pump Price Breakdown

ComponentCost Range
Solar panels (6.0–7.5 kW)₹1,10,000–₹1,50,000
Submersible pump + motor₹40,000–₹60,000
VFD/Controller₹25,000–₹35,000
Mounting structure₹12,000–₹18,000
Wiring + installation₹13,000–₹20,000
Total system₹2,00,000–₹2,80,000

After KUSUM (60% subsidy): ₹60,000–₹1,12,000 farmer share. Full price comparison →

Who Should Buy a 5 HP Solar Pump?

  • Medium to large farmers (6–10 acres) — the primary audience for 5 HP pumps
  • Deep borewell owners — water tables at 200–400 feet where 3 HP pumps struggle
  • Multiple crop cycles — farms growing 2–3 crops per year needing consistent water supply
  • Commercial nurseries and orchards — large-scale irrigation for 500+ trees
  • Community irrigation — shared pump serving 2–3 adjacent smallholdings

If your farm is under 6 acres with a shallow-medium borewell, a 3 HP pump offers better value. For farms over 10 acres or borewells deeper than 400 feet, consider 7.5 HP.

5 HP Pump for Deep Borewells

The 5 HP is the entry point for serious deep borewell pumping. Performance at various depths:

Borewell DepthDaily Water OutputFlow Rate
100 feet (30m)2,50,000–3,00,000 L600–700 LPH
200 feet (60m)1,80,000–2,50,000 L450–550 LPH
300 feet (90m)1,20,000–1,60,000 L300–400 LPH
400 feet (120m)80,000–1,20,000 L200–300 LPH

For borewells in the 250–400 feet range that are common in Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra plateau regions, 5 HP is the optimal size. The controller automatically adjusts motor speed to match available sunlight.

Diesel Replacement Economics

Replacing a 5 HP diesel pump with solar yields the highest absolute savings:

Cost CategoryDiesel 5 HP (annual)Solar 5 HP (annual)
Fuel/electricity₹50,000–₹80,000₹0
Maintenance₹8,000–₹15,000₹3,000–₹5,000
Downtime costVariable (breakdowns)Minimal
Annual savings₹55,000–₹90,000 per year

After KUSUM subsidy, the farmer invests ₹60,000–₹1,12,000. With annual savings of ₹55,000–₹90,000, the payback period is just 1–2 years. The system then delivers free irrigation for 20+ more years.

Panel Layout and Space Planning

A 5 HP pump requires 6.0–7.5 kW of solar panels — typically 12–14 panels of 540W arranged in two rows on a ground-mount structure.

  • Space required: 250–350 sq ft of shadow-free land
  • Orientation: south-facing, 15–20° tilt, minimum 3 feet gap between rows
  • Location: as close to the borewell/controller as practical (within 50 metres)
  • Foundation: concrete footings or driven piles depending on soil type

The panel array for 5 HP is significant. Many farmers install it along a field boundary or on unused land near the borewell. The area under panels can be used for shade-tolerant crops or equipment storage.

Get Quotes for a 5 HP Solar Pump

A 5 HP system requires proper site assessment for borewell depth, yield testing, and TDH calculation. Solar Vipani connects you with verified dealers who handle everything from survey to KUSUM paperwork.

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Common questions

What is the cost of a 5 HP solar pump after subsidy?
After KUSUM Yojana subsidy (60% of benchmark cost), a 5 HP solar pump costs ₹60,000–₹1,12,000 to the farmer. States like Rajasthan, UP, and Madhya Pradesh offer additional top-ups that can reduce the farmer share to ₹20,000–₹50,000.
How many acres can a 5 HP solar pump irrigate?
A 5 HP pump irrigates 6–10 acres with drip irrigation, 4–6 acres with sprinkler, and 2–4 acres with flood irrigation. Actual coverage depends on crop water requirement, soil type, and borewell yield.
How deep can a 5 HP solar pump go?
A 5 HP submersible pump handles borewells up to 400 feet (120 metres) deep. Optimal performance is at 150–350 feet. For borewells deeper than 400 feet, upgrade to 7.5 HP or 10 HP.
How many solar panels does a 5 HP pump need?
A 5 HP solar pump needs 6.0–7.5 kW of panels — typically 12–14 panels of 540W each. This requires 250–350 sq ft of shadow-free ground space for mounting.
Can I use a 5 HP solar pump for a shared borewell?
Yes. A 5 HP pump can serve 2–3 adjacent small farms through a shared borewell arrangement. This is common in community irrigation projects. KUSUM also allows farmer groups to apply together, and the subsidy applies per pump system.

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