Best Solar Livestock Water Pumps & Tank Monitors (2026)

Water is the first thing that limits where cattle can graze, and in North Texas summers a dry tank or a dead windmill can turn into an emergency fast. Solar pumps have become the default for remote wells and pastures without power, and remote monitors now let you check a trough from the house. This guide covers how to size a solar system, the questions to ask, and the brands in our directory. We have not bench-tested these pumps; specs and claims come from the vendor sites linked here, and you should have any system sized for your well.

Start with the numbers

Every pump vendor will ask the same questions, so gather them first:

Solar pump brands

Grundfos SQFlex

Grundfos is a major global pump maker; its SQFlex line runs on solar and can also accept other power sources. Sold through dealers.

LORENTZ

LORENTZ is a German company that specializes in solar water pumping for livestock and irrigation, sold through a dealer network, with sizing software available to installers.

SunPumps

SunPumps markets solar pumps for wells, livestock and irrigation and says it will spec a system with you by phone.

RPS Solar Pumps

RPS sells solar well pump kits direct to customers, aimed at DIY installs.

Franklin Electric

Franklin Electric makes water well pumps and controls, and is widely carried by well drillers and pump installers.

Powerflex

Powerflex sells water systems alongside fencing for rotational grazing, which is handy for portable troughs and pipe.

Remote water monitoring

Checking water is one of the most time-consuming chores on a spread-out place. Remote monitors put a sensor in the tank or trough and send level readings to your phone. Farmbot sells water tank level and rain monitoring and is one example. When evaluating any monitor, confirm whether it uses cellular or satellite service (and the monthly fee), how it handles freezing, and whether it alerts on a sudden drop that signals a leak or stuck float.

DIY or dealer?

A DIY kit can save money on a shallow well with a simple lift. For deep wells, high head, or large herds, a dealer who sizes the pump and array, sets it properly and warranties the install usually earns their fee. Ask any installer for the expected gallons per day in your worst month, not the sunny-day maximum.

Funding

USDA NRCS has historically offered cost-share through EQIP for livestock water developments in many counties. Contact your local NRCS office before buying, because starting work early can make a project ineligible.

Bottom line

Gather your well numbers, size for the hottest month, store water rather than electricity, and add a remote monitor to the pastures you check most. Get quotes from at least two suppliers.

A worked sizing example (illustrative only)

Suppose you run 40 pairs on a pasture in July. Using a planning figure near the top of the common range, you might plan for around 20 gallons per head per day for the cows, or about 800 gallons daily, plus a margin for calves and evaporation. If you want three days of storage for cloudy weather, that points to roughly a 2,500 to 3,000 gallon tank. The pump then needs to refill a day's use in the sun hours of an average day at your total head. These numbers are only an example of the arithmetic; use your extension service's figures and have a supplier confirm the sizing for your well.

Maintenance

Solar systems have few moving parts above ground, but they still need attention: keep panels clean and free of shade from growing trees, check wiring for rodent damage, inspect float valves, and watch for falling output, which can signal a worn pump or a well that is drawing down. A remote monitor that shows daily tank levels makes it easier to catch a slow decline before the trough is dry.

Questions to ask any supplier

Ask for expected daily output in your worst month at your actual head, what warranty covers the pump, controller and panels separately, whether a local installer can service it, and what happens if the well drops below the pump intake. Get the answers in writing so you can compare quotes fairly.

FAQ

Can I put a solar pump on my old windmill well?

Often yes, if the casing size, depth and well yield fit the pump. Have the well checked; old windmill wells may have pipe and casing problems that should be addressed during the conversion.

Do I need batteries?

Usually not. Storing water in a larger tank is cheaper and lasts longer than batteries. Plan for a few days of storage to ride through cloudy stretches.

What about freezing?

Texas gets occasional hard freezes. Ask about burying lines below frost depth, drain-back options, and tank heaters or float valves rated for cold.

How long do solar pumps last?

It depends on water quality, sand and how the system is installed. Ask each manufacturer for its warranty terms and whether local service is available.

Tools in this guide

  1. Grundfos

    Pump maker including SQFlex solar water pumps.

    Pricing: See site · Water & Solar Pumps

  2. LORENTZ

    Solar water pumping systems for livestock and irrigation.

    Pricing: See site · Water & Solar Pumps

  3. RPS Solar Pumps

    Solar well pump kits sold direct.

    Pricing: See site · Water & Solar Pumps

  4. SunPumps

    Solar water pumps for wells, livestock and irrigation; spec help by phone.

    Pricing: See site · Water & Solar Pumps

  5. Franklin Electric

    Water well pumps and controls.

    Pricing: See site · Water & Solar Pumps

  6. Farmbot Monitoring

    Remote water tank level and rain monitoring.

    Pricing: See site · Water & Solar Pumps

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