WaterBuck vs. Solar Pumps

WaterBuck Pump Advantages	Solar Pump Advantages
Clean and green	Clean and green
Long-lasting (industrial-grade mechanical parts)	Solar panel life of 20 years possible
Easy to operate	Unattended operation
No fuel costs	No fuel costs
Low maintenance	Low maintenance (in good weather)
A few minutes of pumping time needed for large households	A few minutes of pumping time needed for large household (with high flow system)
High volume any time of day	Works well in peak sunlight
Ability to pump from deep wells uphill	Ability to pump from deep wells uphill (with high watt systems)
Irrigation capacity up to 100 gpm (maximum gpm is at peak human performance)	Irrigation capacity (with higher watt systems)
Greater lift and capacity than a 12′ diameter windmills	Greater lift and capacity than a 12′ diameter windmills (with higher watt systems)
Moderate capital cost
EMP-proof
Non-electric
Water storage unnecessary
No additional components needed to pressurize a tank for indoor plumbing
Inconspicuous (paint any color)
Low tech
Able to be enclosed in a protective structure
Health benefits — endurance, strength and flexibility

WaterBuck Pump Disadvantages	Solar Pump Disadvantages
Installation requires mechanical skills	Installation requires mechanical and technical skills
Snow and ice removal if not enclosed	Snow, ice and storm maintenance
Leather seals must be replaced when worn	Complex electronics require skilled repair technicians
Human operation required	Potentially costly repairs
	High initial capital costs
	Additional components needed for pressurizing and energy storage
	Solar panels subject to theft (high theft item)
	Potentially disabled by hail, lightning or wind storms
	Not EMP-proof
	System must be monitored
	Several hours of pumping time needed for large households (with low flow systems)
	Lower output in cloudy weather and seasonal changes
	Water storage required (potential for bacterial growth in stored water)
	Specific site conditions required (no shade)