Understanding early adoption of solar irrigation in Lao PDR: benefits, challenges and policy gaps
Solar-powered irrigation pumps (SIPs) offer a promising climate-resilient option for farmers, enabling a shift from rainfed to year-round agriculture that can enhance food security and livelihoods. In Laos, SIPs are beginning to be adopted, but the impacts and broader implications of this early upta...
| Autores principales: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Formato: | Artículo preliminar |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
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International Water Management Institute
2025
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| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178044 |
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| author | Pavelic, Paul Keovilignavong, O. Sinavong, P. Viossanges, Mathieu Keonouchanh, Santi Keovongdy, Poupey Phompackdee, S. Bounphanousay, D. Lautze, Jonathan |
| author_browse | Bounphanousay, D. Keonouchanh, Santi Keovilignavong, O. Keovongdy, Poupey Lautze, Jonathan Pavelic, Paul Phompackdee, S. Sinavong, P. Viossanges, Mathieu |
| author_facet | Pavelic, Paul Keovilignavong, O. Sinavong, P. Viossanges, Mathieu Keonouchanh, Santi Keovongdy, Poupey Phompackdee, S. Bounphanousay, D. Lautze, Jonathan |
| author_sort | Pavelic, Paul |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Solar-powered irrigation pumps (SIPs) offer a promising climate-resilient option for farmers, enabling a shift from rainfed to year-round agriculture that can enhance food security and livelihoods. In Laos, SIPs are beginning to be adopted, but the impacts and broader implications of this early uptake remain unclear. This study examines 10 off-grid, smallholder-operated SIPs in the lowlands of Laos to provide evidence for optimal scaling. Interviews were conducted with system operators and complemented by the on-site collection of technical data. Despite high upfront investment costs, most users report strong satisfaction with SIPs. The systems provide reliable irrigation for home consumption, with occasional surpluses sold in markets, and typically achieve payback within five years. Adoption is mainly driven by reductions in fuel and electricity costs, with most systems privately financed. However, broader adoption remains constrained by operational limits under low solar radiation, a lack of government incentives and supportive policies, and limited awareness of potential aggregated impacts on groundwater resources. To support sustainable expansion and reduce investment risks, measures such as capacity building on pump operation, promotion of water-efficient practices, and improved groundwater monitoring are necessary. |
| format | Artículo preliminar |
| id | CGSpace178044 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | International Water Management Institute |
| publisherStr | International Water Management Institute |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1780442025-12-08T10:11:39Z Understanding early adoption of solar irrigation in Lao PDR: benefits, challenges and policy gaps Pavelic, Paul Keovilignavong, O. Sinavong, P. Viossanges, Mathieu Keonouchanh, Santi Keovongdy, Poupey Phompackdee, S. Bounphanousay, D. Lautze, Jonathan solar powered irrigation systems technology adoption policies groundwater pumps investment costs performance assessment smallholders food security livelihoods sustainability enabling environment innovation scaling capacity development Solar-powered irrigation pumps (SIPs) offer a promising climate-resilient option for farmers, enabling a shift from rainfed to year-round agriculture that can enhance food security and livelihoods. In Laos, SIPs are beginning to be adopted, but the impacts and broader implications of this early uptake remain unclear. This study examines 10 off-grid, smallholder-operated SIPs in the lowlands of Laos to provide evidence for optimal scaling. Interviews were conducted with system operators and complemented by the on-site collection of technical data. Despite high upfront investment costs, most users report strong satisfaction with SIPs. The systems provide reliable irrigation for home consumption, with occasional surpluses sold in markets, and typically achieve payback within five years. Adoption is mainly driven by reductions in fuel and electricity costs, with most systems privately financed. However, broader adoption remains constrained by operational limits under low solar radiation, a lack of government incentives and supportive policies, and limited awareness of potential aggregated impacts on groundwater resources. To support sustainable expansion and reduce investment risks, measures such as capacity building on pump operation, promotion of water-efficient practices, and improved groundwater monitoring are necessary. 2025-11-20 2025-11-20T14:12:50Z 2025-11-20T14:12:50Z Working Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178044 en Open Access application/pdf International Water Management Institute Pavelic, P.; Keovilignavong, O.; Sinavong, P.; Viossanges, M.; Keonouchanh, S.; Keovongdy, P.; Phompackdee, S.; Bounphanousay, D.; Lautze, J. 2025. Understanding early adoption of solar irrigation in Lao PDR: benefits, challenges and policy gaps. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 28p. (IWMI Working Paper 215). doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2025.242 |
| spellingShingle | solar powered irrigation systems technology adoption policies groundwater pumps investment costs performance assessment smallholders food security livelihoods sustainability enabling environment innovation scaling capacity development Pavelic, Paul Keovilignavong, O. Sinavong, P. Viossanges, Mathieu Keonouchanh, Santi Keovongdy, Poupey Phompackdee, S. Bounphanousay, D. Lautze, Jonathan Understanding early adoption of solar irrigation in Lao PDR: benefits, challenges and policy gaps |
| title | Understanding early adoption of solar irrigation in Lao PDR: benefits, challenges and policy gaps |
| title_full | Understanding early adoption of solar irrigation in Lao PDR: benefits, challenges and policy gaps |
| title_fullStr | Understanding early adoption of solar irrigation in Lao PDR: benefits, challenges and policy gaps |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding early adoption of solar irrigation in Lao PDR: benefits, challenges and policy gaps |
| title_short | Understanding early adoption of solar irrigation in Lao PDR: benefits, challenges and policy gaps |
| title_sort | understanding early adoption of solar irrigation in lao pdr benefits challenges and policy gaps |
| topic | solar powered irrigation systems technology adoption policies groundwater pumps investment costs performance assessment smallholders food security livelihoods sustainability enabling environment innovation scaling capacity development |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178044 |
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