Driving Sustainability: How Solar-Powered VFDs Are Transforming Industrial Pumping Systems

Pumps do a lot of heavy lifting in industrial water systems. They run for long stretches and consume a surprising amount of electricity in the process. For companies looking to lower both their operating costs and carbon footprint, pumping is one of the places where changes can actually make a noticeable difference.

Solar is one promising way to offset the energy used by pumping, but it comes with trade-offs. It’s common knowledge that the power you get from a photovoltaic (PV) array is not the same at 9 a.m. as it is at 2 p.m., and it can decline quickly when the weather shifts. This can be a problem for pumps that require steady operation.

One way to handle that variability is to add energy storage, like batteries, to help smooth out the supply. But storage comes with its own considerations; it adds another system that has to be sized and installed correctly and maintained over time. That extra layer can change the overall cost and complexity of the project.

Schneider Electric aims to address these challenges with its family of Altivar Machine ATV320 Solar smart variable frequency drives (VFD)(Figure 1), designed for pumps that can run directly from a PV array. The series is built to make solar-powered pumping simpler to implement, thanks to the ATV320 Solar’s ability to switch to grid power when solar output isn’t sufficient.

Figure 1: Schneider Electric Altivar machine drive ATV320 solar are ideal for pumps from 0.37 kW to 15 kW (0.5 HP to 20 HP) with photovoltaic arrays (Image source: Schneider Electric)

Standout Features of Altivar Machine ATV320 Solar VFDs

The Altivar Machine ATV320 Solar series supports pumps from 0.37 kW to 15 kW (0.5 HP to 20 HP). Each variable frequency drive controls motor operation by adjusting speed and torque, rather than running a pump at one fixed point. This gives the system more flexibility: it can ramp up or down, match output to demand, and avoid wasting energy when the pump doesn’t really need to run at full capacity. According to Schneider Electric, the ATV320 Solar can lower energy use by up to 30% in pumping applications.

In a solar-powered setup, speed control becomes even more important because available power fluctuates constantly. The drive essentially acts as the link between variable PV input and steady pumping needs, intelligently managing the motor so that the pump can keep working optimally as the available sunlight changes. A key part of that is ATV320 Solar’s built-in maximum power point tracking (MPPT) management, which helps the system extract the most power from the PV array to maximize flowrate.

For operations that need the pump to keep running, the ATV320 Solar can connect to both PV and grid power. When solar power is available, the drive can prioritize it and keep the pump operating on solar input. When it isn’t sufficient, the drive can switch from PV to grid power so pumping can continue through low sunlight periods. This dual power capability enables consistent pump operation while eliminating the need for stored energy solutions.

Pumps rarely work under perfect conditions. Depending on the application, they may be dealing with varying water levels, debris in the line, changing suction conditions, or other system variables that wear equipment down over time.

The ATV320 Solar cuts down on avoidable maintenance through features like anti-jam, dry run protection, and sensorless output flow estimation. Anti-jam functionality is intended for situations where solids begin to restrict movement, allowing the system to respond before a full stoppage occurs.

Dry run protection tackles a different problem—running a pump without enough water. Because dry running can generate excess heat and shorten the pump’s service life, early detection helps protect pump longevity.

With sensorless output flow estimation, the drive can provide insight into flow behavior without requiring a dedicated flow sensor in every setup. This can help operators get a better sense of how the pump is performing and catch issues earlier.

The ATV320 Solar also integrates Altivar logic programming through a built-in ‘microPLC.’ This means the drive can handle custom logic and certain control tasks on its own without needing a separate controller for every application. This can be useful in pumping setups like starting and stopping based on conditions, switching between operating modes, or running a simple sequence.

Top Applications of Altivar Machine ATV320 Solar VFDs

The ATV320 Solar is positioned primarily for water-related pumping needs, with a strong focus on irrigation and water supply. In agriculture, that includes irrigation methods such as drip irrigation, sprinklers, micro-emitters, and flood irrigation. These systems can cover large areas, and pumping needs can shift throughout the day depending on how water is being distributed. Solar-powered pumping can be especially appealing in these settings because it can carry more of the pumping load during peak daylight hours, when irrigation demand is typically highest.

Drinking water is another major focus, including submersible pumps, surface-mounted water pumps, and pumps used for filling or maintaining water storage tanks. These use cases often connect to rural and remote installations, helping support a lower-cost drinking water supply. Off-grid solar-powered water systems are relevant here, especially in locations where bringing in fuel or scheduling maintenance visits is difficult and expensive.

The ATV320 Solar is also suited to water treatment plants, where pumps circulate water through successive stages of filtration and processing. These systems rely on steady pumping loads, making them a natural fit for efficiency improvements through variable speed control and solar support.

Putting Solar Pumping into Practice

Even with the right equipment, solar pumping still depends on thorough planning and setup. The ATV320 Solar ecosystem includes tools like Altivar Solar Sizer, which supports system sizing during the design phase. On the commissioning side, SoMove software provides a way to configure the drive, adjust parameters, and troubleshoot issues during installation and throughout operation. The drive also features a dedicated “Sun” menu for simplifying commissioning.

The ATV320 Solar is RoHS and REACH compliant, meeting widely recognized restrictions on hazardous substances and regulated chemicals in electrical equipment. For projects with environmental or material requirements written into the specification, this can help streamline documentation and product selection.

As sustainability goals become more common in industrial planning, energy-intensive systems like pumping are getting a closer look. The focus is on upgrades that can maximize production efficiency and reduce OPEX, while still fitting into real operating requirements. Many facilities are also prioritizing automation architectures that can scale without requiring a full system redesign later. Drives like the ATV320 Solar that support both PV and grid input align with that direction, offering a practical path toward more resilient and energy-efficient processes.

To learn more, visit Altivar Machine ATV320 Solar Variable Frequency Drives.