Best Solar Powered Pond Pumps
1) Lewisia Solar Power Pond Pump
- 10W LARGE Solar Collector --- A higher wattage rating than the other solar pond pumps, put out more energy to make the water flow and...
- Unique Spray Water Patterns --- Interchangeable fountain heads ( Mushroom or Blossom or others) are great to customize the water patterns it...
- Longer Cable Length --- 16.4 feet (5m) cord from the pump to the solar panel so it would get sun most of the day. You can have the fountain...
A simple and fairly powerful solar pump kit with a generous solar panel size. Lewisia’s Solar Pump kit features a 300 GPH solar pump connected to a 10W Mono-crystalline solar panel. The solar panel is attached to a sturdy steel frame which provides support and easy positioning. The frame allows for 3 angles of positioning, or can be placed flat against a surface of your choice. If using the frame the angles should provide good options for sunlight exposure, but a few more sharper angling options would have been ideal.
The pump is fairly powerful for a solar pump, and will start working after around 3-5 seconds of bright sunlight collection. We tested this model within a small 200 gallon fish pond and placed it on a shallow shelf. The fountain obtained a good amount of height, and flow was strong while the sun was constant. The fountain height is adjustable, and comes with 6 different head attachments for different fountain displays. They are quite fiddly to attach, but work surprisingly well.
This solar pump kit doesn’t come with a battery, however, so there is no option for powering without constant sunlight. It will only work when in direct sun, and will simply turn off during the night or when heavily overcast.
With that said, this is still a very good choice for pond owners who want a compact but fairly powerful pump with a good fountain display height. It would work great in ponds up to 500 gallons, or in larger garden bird baths.
- Solar Panel: 10 watts
- Pump Strength: Approx 300 GPH
- Max water height: 5 ft
- Battery operation: No battery
2) Sunnydaze Solar Pump + Battery/Lights
- Overall dimensions: The pump measures 6" W x 3-/14" D x 6" H. The solar panel measures 10" H x 7.5" W. The kit weighs 4.6 lbs
- Practical functions: When used in a fountain, the pump pushes or sprays water up to 56 inches high at a rate of 132 gallons per hour. When...
- Includes: This kit features a solar-powered panel, a battery pack, a ground spike for the solar panel, a 132 GPH submersible pump with four...
A fantastic solar powered fountain pump kit with a large rechargeable battery pack system and bright LED fountain lights. The Sunnydaze solar package provides everything you need to get started with a solar powered water display, including a pump rated at 132 GPH, a 4 hour battery pack, multiple fountain attachments, and a 5 watt solar panel display. Even though the panel is fairly small in comparison to some other models, it still packs a decent punch under full sunlight, being able to provide a 4.5 foot water display on full battery charge – great for smaller ponds, bird baths, or extra aeration!
One of the best aspects about this kit is the very large (by solar standards) battery pack that provides up to 4 hours of runtime during twilight and overcast periods. In strong sunlight, the battery will charge slowly through the solar panel, and once full, will switch on automatically when sunlight becomes too low to power the fountain directly.
The battery unit also has a convenient control panel and indicator lighting system, providing options for setting a daily timer or alternating the flow rate of the pump for a specific height of water display. If you want to run your fountain display after hours, this kit would be a solid choice as it has one of the longest lasting battery packs we’ve seen on a solar model.
In terms of accessories, two 16 foot cables are included to connect the pump and the battery pack together, as well as four different fountain heads for different water displays. Another benefit of this particular kit is the inclusion of a bright LED light which attaches just under the fountain head. The light does a great job of making the fountain look more alive at night, but it won’t likely be enough to illuminate much more than the solar display itself – but it’s a nice addition nonetheless! A great solar kit if you want maximum twilight operation, lots of fountain display options, and some lights to make things more vibrant.
- Solar Panel: 5 watts
- Pump Strength: Approx 132 GPH
- Max water height: 4.5 ft
- Battery operation: Approx 4 hours
3) Solariver Solar High-Power Pump
- Sun-Powered Pump for Moving Volumes of Water - To keep a steady water supply for your DIY outdoor water fountain, feature or pond water...
- Versatile Pump for Reducing Operational Cost - Harness the power of the sun with our water pump & pond aerator. This weather-resistant...
- Suitable for Off-Grid Locations - Use this submersible solar fountain pump anywhere you need to pump water & don’t want to run power or...
Solarriver’s Solar Fountain pump is one of the more powerful solar pumps we have used, being able to output close to 400 GPH at max voltage. This solar pump kit would be perfect for pond owners who want a slightly larger fountain, or need some extra power from their pump. The pump itself is fully submersible and comes with a removable filter to help prevent clogging.
The 20 watt poly-crystalline solar panel is quite large and capable of producing decent output when the sun is bright. There is no frame for angling options on this unit, so you would need to place the panel flat on a surface in good sunlight. The cable is quite long (16ft), however, so it should be fairly easy to get the panel in a good position.
The panel comes with a very small battery on the back which holds some charge after the sun fades, but we found this very underwhelming. Unless you have had a full day of constant, strong sunlight the battery will not be able to power the pump for long. If you want to use this during the night, we recommend attaching a larger battery separately.
With that said, in terms of solar power, the pump is one of the strongest we’ve tested and the solar panels are large enough to produce a good amount of current. An ideal solar option for both small and medium ponds looking for a cost effective solar fountain pump with very good water lift heights.
- Solar Panel: 20 watts
- Pump Strength: Approx 400 GPH
- Max water height: 6.5ft
- Battery operation: Approx 1 hour
Main Benefits of Solar Pond Pumps
As the name suggests, a solar powered pond pump just requires energy from the sun to work. Solar rays will hit the pump’s solar panels and then be converted into electricity. The more sunlight you get, the better your pump will run!
The biggest single benefit of a solar pump for most pond owners would be the lack of monthly running costs. So long as you get a sufficient amount of sunlight each day, the pump will be able to function autonomously, without even needing to be wired to your mains socket.
Solar pumps are also very discreet, quiet in operation, and usually powerful enough to run smaller water features without trouble. If you live somewhere with plenty of months of sunlight, it can be a great (and cheap) addition to your garden pond.
To top it off, solar power is environmentally friendly and considered a green energy source. Renewable energy is the way of the future, and every little bit helps!
In summary:
Main Drawbacks of Solar Pond Pumps
Sadly, these kinds of pumps do have some drawbacks and are not suitable for all pond features and situations.
The first major drawback is the lack of water flow and head height these kind of pumps can produce. Generally speaking, a “powerful” solar powered pump will be in the range of 100-200 GPH of water flow. This would not be sufficient in powering a pond filtration system, or as a main pump for a large water feature.
Solar pumps have not been designed to replace a regular pond pump, but are used to help power small features so you don’t need a separate pump attached to the mains. They are usually purchased as ‘kits‘ with a specific purpose in mind, such as powering a small fountain or aerator, and should not be confused with stronger electric models that are designed for heavier operation.
Another drawback is the limitations of a solar pumps battery capacity. During the day, sunlight is converted via the solar panels and stored as energy within a rechargeable battery pack if one is included. When the sunlight fades, the stored battery energy will have to take over. Depending on the efficiency and size of the battery, there may only be enough energy for a few hours of operation.
In summary:
Different Types of Solar Powered Pumps (Water & Air Pumps)
1) Solar Fountain Pumps
The most common type of solar pond pump is the fountain pump, which usually comes with both pump and fountain head included. These pumps are designed to be placed on the pond floor with the fountain attachment above the surface of the water. The solar panels will be connected to the pump and will power the fountain using the days’ sunlight.
Although you won’t get a huge amount of water height here, solar fountains are surprisingly effective and great as smaller pond features. Since a certain depth is required for an optimal display, they may not be suited for deep ponds and often work best on shallow pond banks.
2) Solar Air Pumps (Solar Aerators)
Another type of common pump is the solar air pump, which is used to provide extra aeration (oxygenation) to your pond water. They function the same as a fountain pump, with both solar panels and a battery for collecting charge. Instead of powering a water feature, though, they act as a simple method of adding oxygen to your water. If you do not have a water feature in place, such as a fountain or waterfall, having an extra means for oxygenation may be helpful. This is especially true if you have a pond stocked with fish, as more dissolved oxygen will improve fish health and water quality.
In this article we concentrate mostly on solar powered fountain pumps, but you can check here for our guide on the best air pumps if you’re interested.
Finding the Perfect Solar Pond Pump (Considerations)
When looking for a solar powered pump, there are several points to consider before investing so you’re not disappointed with your purchase. Things you’ll need to ask yourself are below:
Is it powerful enough?
The first question you should ask is if the pump is powerful enough for its intended purpose. If you have a 2000 gallon pond, for example, a 200 GPH solar pump will not be sufficient as a main pond pump. If you want to add a small 3ft fountain to your 300 gallon pond, however, a solar powered fountain pump may be the perfect solution.
In general, most solar powered pumps are designed for ponds of a maximum size of 1000 gallons, but can also be used in larger ponds as a complementary feature so long as they’re placed on a shallow shelf.
Do I get enough sunlight?
Without sunlight, solar pumps just won’t work! You’ll need to make sure you can set the solar panels in an area which catches a good amount of daily sun for maximum benefits. On overcast days, if your pump has a battery included, you can also let the batteries keep the pump running while you wait for the sun to return.
Solar panel and battery quality?
Solar panels need to be manufactured to a high quality standard, and the larger the panel’s size, the more power will be produced!
For your solar pump to keep running at night and on overcast days, you’ll also need a solar battery with adequate charge. From experience, after a full day of sunlight, a good battery should provide around 3-5 hours of further use before the charge is depleted. If the pump kit doesn’t come with a battery pack included, you can purchase one separately and attach to the solar panels fairly easily.
Ways to increase the efficiency of a solar pond pump:
There are a few ways to increase the efficiency of a solar pump so you can get maximum benefits. Some of these are:
- Placing solar panels to catch the strongest sun (11am-3pm)
- Cleaning solar panels regularly
- Cleaning solar pump regularly
- Decreasing fountain height
- Improving water quality (less pump work)
I saw a video online of a 100 watt solar panel power a DIY aeration pump. We’re only interested in pumping air into the water for water quality, not powering a fountain or feature. Will that kind of wattage do anything for small lakes?
Hi Douglas,
Thanks for the comment!
How small is this lake exactly? And does it have fish?
Although the wattage of a solar panel is sometimes the most useful indicator of aeration potential on a small scale, if you’re installing something on a much larger scale (5K gallons+), what you also want to look at is the CFM value of the equipment compressor – which is the volume of air it can move per minute per cubic foot.
For good aeration, a CFM compressor rating of between 1.0 – 4.0+ is a reasonable guideline for ponds between 5,000 and 35,000 US gallons which also have fish.
I’m unsure how large your lake is, but I’ll assume it’s bigger than most garden ponds (unless you state otherwise)! Taking that into account, and assuming you want solar/eco power not mains electricity, you have two realistic options:
1) Wind-powered Aerators (Windmills) – https://pondinformer.com/best-windmill-pond-aerator-system/
2) High CFM Solar Air Compressors – http://amzn.to/2puNSuo
Again, this is for large-scale aeration, so if your lake is actually quite small, you may get away with something smaller. It all depends on water volume, lake size, and fish stocks!
The pumps and solar panels in this article are only really designed for garden fish ponds, and won’t be very useful for larger applications.
Hope that helps.
Hi we are looking for a solar fountain pump that can also have a small addition hose attached to it for a small water stream
Hi Douglas,
You could simply add a standard tee fitting to some flexible hose which would then drive water to both the fountain and water stream.
The real issue here would be whether the pump has enough head height to actually move sufficient flow to the individual features without losing pressure. If you’re only looking to power two very small water features, the Solar River 400 GPH model shown in this article may have enough head and flow to do the job. I’d personally recommend two separate pumps for a better water display, as these kinds of solar kits are not really suited for powering multiple features at once.
HI
I have the tidal 400 solar pump . I am very happy with it but would like the battery to last longer . Would it be possible to just connect a larger battery or would I need a bigger panel as well ( ideally I would want it to work through most of the night into early morning ( in summer ) )
thanks
john
Hi John,
Glad to hear you’re happy with the pump!
In terms of connecting a bigger battery, or more than one battery, you would need to match the voltage of the solar panel to that of the new battery. So, in this instance, as the Tidal 400 solar panel is rated at 9V, you could either connect a larger 9v battery (compared to the 7.4v supplied), or two smaller 4.5v batteries connected in series (not parallel), which would add up to 9v total.
Hope that helps!
I woder whether you could advise on a problem I have. I want to pump enough water to feed water butts in my garden. The problem being the pond is 150 metres away and approx 3m below. The pond is stream fed. It would not be a problem if the pump delivered slowly or intermittently. Can you help?
Hi Neil,
That’s a fair distance away! Are you specifically looking for solar pump here?
Pumping water that distance will require a lot of flow and head, so if you don’t have access to a mains socket, I can only think of two options: 1) Windmill Generators or 2) High Capacity Solar Panels.
Since windmill generators are usually coupled with air compressors in the pond/lake trade, opting for a larger solar system is probably easier.
To give you an idea, this is the type/size of panel you’d probably be looking at- https://www.outdoorwatersolutions.com/store/solar-powered-fountains-c-105.html
I have a water feature which is a peice of slate that has a hole in and approximately 2 ft tall which pump would you recommend to get maximum height so that you get a good splash coming from the bore hole.
Hi Susan,
If you’re wanting a solar model, both the Solarriver 10 watt or 20 watt pumps would be good choices. Both have very respectable lift heights, 3 ft for the 10 watt and 6 ft for the 20 watt, and decent solar panel displays.
Hi, I am in Australia, and can’t find any of these. Looking to power a fountain, 1m lift. Any thoughts?
Hi Olivia,
I think Amazon Australia has a decent selection of solar pumps these days; many similar to the US/UK counterparts. I’d maybe have a look over there first!
I want a solar pump for an old butler sink 2 foot by 18 inches and 10 inches deep. I want it to bubble up through stones. Is this possible ?
Hi Joan,
I’m assuming this is for an outdoor water feature? If so, yes, a solar pump with a decent amount of head height should be fine for the job. In-fact, any of the pumps in this article should be perfectly adequate for this size a feature.
Hi
Im looking to have a water pump that allows water to fall into a pond from a pipe or shelf. I’d like it to have the capacity to run in the evenings.
Hi Liz,
Could I ask the height of the water feature, as well as the width of the pipe/shelf opening? Both of these will determine how much head-height (vertical lift) you’ll need from a pond pump. More info: https://pondinformer.com/pond-pump-size-guide/
Hi Pond Informer
Like Joan I want a smallish pump to power a modest water feature housed in a butler sink. The issue I have is that the sink is in a shady part of the garden, some distance away from sunlight. Typically, how long are the cables connecting the panel to the pump? I’d probably need about 10-15m.
I have a 14foot gutter rill on slope down to deep container with pump and lion head spit flow back down shoot .Will a solar driven pump do the job for this as three acres from house but i do want to keep it as built it for electric pump but is extreme with lead of 200 m from shed
Hi there,
We have a small pond, with another little one about a foot higher. We are hoping to have a “waterfall” going from one to the other…would this work with one of these solar pumps? We don’t really want a fountain as such….
Thanks for your help!
Best wishes,
Fiona
Hi I have a 1.5 to 2 gallon clay pot with a domed decorative lid with openings for the water to drop back in the pot.
I am looking for a low flow solar pump to pump the water up a central tube so it can flow down the decorative lid and back into the pot. I do not want a fountain effect, just to get it to the top of the dome to be able to trickle down. A pump with adjustable flow would be ideal.
I would also like a rechargeable battery pack to keep it running in the evenings after the sun goes down.
Do you have any pumps like this, or recommendations for this?
Thank you,
Shelley
Hi – we have a stagnant wildlife pond which contains est 5700 liters
There’s no feed of fresh water to it – apart from when it rains and it always looks rather brown 🙁
I’d really like an eco-friendly solution to clearing the water, so have been looking for a solar-powered filter. Looking at your blog though, it seems that solar energy wouldn’t be strong enough to power a filter for a pond of our size?
We do have an electricity supply nearby, but would prefer not to have cables all over the place
What’s your advice please?
1) It seems as there is a contradictory information about Solariver solar pump:
“Solariver’s Solar Fountain pump is one of the more powerful solar pumps we have used, being able to output close to 400 GPH at max voltage”. However, technical information refer to 160 GPH: “Solariver Solar Water Pump Kit -160+GPH Submersible Water Pump with Adjustable Flow, 12 Watt Solar Panel for Sun Powered Fountain, Pond Aeration”. Can you explain?
2) Only this model is described as having a removable pre-filter to prevent debris clogging impeller. How is it possible that none other pump has this feature?
3) How do ECO-WORTHY Solar Fountain Water Pump Kit 10 W, 160GPH+ 12 Watt Solar Panel Submersible Powered Pump compare with Solariver and Lewisia?
Hi,
I’m looking for a solar option for a water feature that does not involve a fountain. I want to pump water from a small pond 1.5m uphill from where it would flow by gravity back down (ie like a small stream). Have you any suggestions please? I live in the north west of Ireland. Thank you, Deirdre
Great article! The right solar-powered pond pump can be an ideal solution for impressive visual water displays. 🙂
I want a solar powered water pump to move about 50 litres per hour but it needs to lift it 4.5 meters in height. this is not a water feature , it is to pump water which is leaking from the bank of a farm reservoir