Egypt is abundant in renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy, and has recently initiated a plan for sustainable energy (Sustainable Energy Strategy 2035). One of the primary objectives of this plan is to utilize solar energy technology to power irrigation systems for agricultural lands as a sustainable, environmentally friendly energy source.
The study aimed to assess the feasibility of using solar energy to operate irrigation pumps for wheat and peanut crops compared to traditional energy sources like diesel generators. This was done by examining investment costs, operating costs, and revenues for the 2020/2021 production season, as well as conducting a sensitivity analysis. The research yielded several significant findings. Notably, the capital turnover rate for a project using solar energy cells was 13.93 thousand pounds, compared to 10.69 thousand pounds for a project using traditional energy (diesel generator). The internal rate of return for a solar energy project was also higher at 59.23%, compared to 45.93% for a diesel generator. Additionally, the research revealed that the project using diesel irrigation for crops was more sensitive to changes than the one using solar energy. Consequently, the research recommends expanding the use of solar energy technology in irrigating agricultural lands due to its financial and health benefits for farmers and the country.