The Abuyung Solar Water System Project brought together solar-powered pumping, elevated storage and a pipe-distribution network serving Abuyung Trading Centre and the Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC). PAPAN provided design, monitoring and technical support for the assignment.
The system was planned as one connected arrangement: water is pumped using solar energy, stored in two elevated tanks and then distributed to community collection points through the pipe network.
Main system components
The installation includes two 5,000-litre water tanks, giving the system a combined storage capacity of 10,000 litres. The tanks are mounted on an approximately 6-metre-high support structure to create the elevation required for gravity-fed distribution.
- Solar-powered water-pumping system
- Two elevated 5,000-litre storage tanks
- Approximately 6-metre-high tank-support structure
- Pipe-distribution network connecting storage to collection points
- Community tap stands serving Abuyung Trading Centre and the PHCC
- Design, monitoring and technical support by PAPAN
How the water-supply arrangement works
Solar energy powers the pumping system during available daylight conditions. Water is lifted into the elevated tanks, where it is stored before moving through the distribution network to the collection points.
The two tanks can be filled in approximately three hours under the operating conditions described for the system. Once water has been stored, the elevation of the tank stand allows distribution to continue by gravity without requiring continuous pumping at every tap stand.
The role of elevated storage
Elevated storage provides both pressure and operating flexibility. It allows water pumped during the day to remain available for distribution after the immediate pumping period and reduces the need for a separate powered pump at each collection point.
The effectiveness of this arrangement depends on the relationship between tank elevation, pipe diameter, route, demand, available solar energy and the condition of the installed components. At Abuyung, the approximately 6-metre stand and combined 10,000-litre storage capacity form the central link between pumping and distribution.
Serving the Trading Centre and PHCC
The distribution network extends water access to collection points serving both Abuyung Trading Centre and the PHCC. This arrangement brings storage and collection closer to the users rather than limiting access to the pumping point alone.
For the health facility, dependable access to stored water is particularly important for routine cleaning, sanitation and daily facility operations. At the Trading Centre, the community tap stands provide a more organised point of collection for surrounding users.
PAPAN’s role in the assignment
PAPAN’s involvement covered design, monitoring and technical support. This included contributing to the system arrangement, following the installation process and supporting coordination around the pumping, storage and distribution components.
The assignment reflects PAPAN’s wider work in solar-powered pumping, elevated storage, water distribution, borehole-related infrastructure, rehabilitation and field supervision.
Project information available for review
The full Abuyung case study provides additional context on the assignment, selected project photographs and the wider system arrangement. Clients and procurement teams requiring formal references, completion evidence or assignment-specific documents can submit a request through PAPAN’s Resource Centre or Procurement Centre.
Related water-engineering capability
PAPAN’s Civil & Water Engineering services include water-supply assessment, design support, solar pumping, elevated storage, borehole-related works, pipeline installation, distribution systems, rehabilitation, site supervision and system monitoring.
