SOLAR POWERED PUMPS

Blackhawk positive-displacement piston pumps feature an all-weather drive motor above the wellhead, connected with high-quality downhole components. The pumping action is similar to that of an oilfield pump jack.

How Solar Powered Pumps Work

Above the wellhead:

A drive motor is matched to one of three power sources — pneumatic, electric or solar. The motor pushes and pulls a durable, flexible drive rod connected to a reciprocating piston near the bottom of the well.

Our solar electric pumps are reciprocating rod, positive-displacement piston pumps powered by industrial-quality compressed air. The motor is at surface grade, above the wellhead for easy installation and maintenance. Power to the pump is direct from surface through the sucker-rod assembly. The fluid inlet is at the pump bottom intake and removes fluid to 0 submergence depth.

SOLAR

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Below the wellhead:

Low-flow pumping action pulls liquid from the well without disturbing the formation:

  • The flexible fiberglass drive rod, enclosed in a riser-pipe cylinder, connects the motor to the piston in a pump barrel.
  • As the motor pulls up the rod, the piston creates suction at pump intake.
  • Liquid is pulled through a strainer into the foot valve.
  • Stainless-steel balls in the reciprocating piston and foot valve open naturally to allow liquid into the piston, then close to prevent liquid from returning.
  • The pumping action lifts liquid up the riser pipe with each stroke; the liquid exits a discharge tee above the wellhead.
A fenced-off water well with orange pipes connected to a control box and blue pumps, including a top-head drive pump. Positioned nearby are two solar panels mounted on metal poles. The setup is situated outdoors, surrounded by grass and trees. Gravel surrounds the well base, with another fence in the background.

APOLLO
SOLAR

The Apollo Solar Powered Piston Pump®

Developed for tough landfill and remediation/recovery sites, Blackhawk Technology’s zero-emission Apollo solar piston pumps are emerging as versatile components in condensate-sump applications including renewable energy and pipeline.

Reliable, non-polluting and affordable, Apollos pump anything that flows, regardless of viscosity or chemical composition. The above-grade driver has few moving parts and requires less maintenance. The in-sump piston pump resist biofouling and encrustation. Flows range to 3,800 gallons per day

The Apollo™ Solar is a linear-rod reciprocating piston pump powered by solar panels. The highly efficient 3/8 hp driver is mounted at surface grade above the wellhead for simple installation and maintenance. The positive displacement pump removes product (i.e. leachate, hydrocarbons) from a two-inch or three-inch diameter well casing. The fluid inlet is located at the bottom of the pump intake cylinder and removes water or product at steady flow rates to 0 submergence depth. Solar power is ideal for remediation pump and groundwater pump applications in remote locations or other environments without electricity or pneumatic power.

Key Applications

  • Rugged
  • Non-polluting
  • Above-grade mounting
  • Few moving parts
  • Safer, easier, less-frequent servicing
  • Lower power requirements
  • Adaptable to site requirements
  • Portable
  • Affordable
  • Apollo Family of Products

I&O Manual

A manual for installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of the Apollo Solar Pump.

Product Sheet

An overview of the Apollo Solar Electric Pump.

Technical Data Sheets

Model 101 maintains a steady flow to maximum submergence depths of 400 feet (122 meters). Flows range to 1.1 gpm (4.2 lpm); 1,584 gpd (5,996 lpd), at temperatures to 200°F; higher with special components.

Model 102 maintains a steady flow to maximum submergence depths of 175 feet (53 meters). Flows range to 2.7 gpm (10.2 lpm); 3,888 gpd (14,717 lpd), at emperatures to 200°F; higher with special components.

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FAQ

Solar-powered piston pumps are ideal for remote locations, closed landfills, remediation sites, and other environments where electrical or pneumatic power isn’t available. They provide dependable pumping using solar energy without sacrificing performance.

Blackhawk solar pumps offer several operational benefits, including:

  • Powered entirely by solar energy
  • No electricity or air introduced into the well
  • Clean, emissions‑free operation
  • Few moving parts for reduced maintenance
  • Quick, easy servicing
  • Reliable operation in remote locations

A solar panel powers an above-ground drive motor that moves a reciprocating drive rod connected to a piston below the wellhead. As the piston cycles, liquid is drawn through the foot valve and lifted up the riser pipe before exiting through the discharge tee above the wellhead.

Blackhawk solar pumps are commonly used for:

  • Landfill leachate extraction
  • Gas well dewatering
  • Groundwater remediation
  • DNAPL and LNAPL recovery
  • Gas condensate pumping
  • Remote remediation sites
  • Elevated temperature environments
  • Closed landfills
  • Low-flow pumping applications

Yes. Apollo Solar pumps are designed to operate independently using solar panels, making them an excellent solution for locations where utility power or compressed air isn’t practical or available.

Apollo Solar pumps are designed to move virtually any flowable liquid, regardless of viscosity or chemical composition. They are well suited for pumping water, leachate, hydrocarbons, condensate, and other remediation fluids.

Depending on the application, Blackhawk solar-powered pumps can operate at depths up to 400 feet (122 meters) with flow rates up to 2.7 gallons per minute (10.2 L/min). The system is designed for wells with a minimum 2-inch casing and features a 3/8 HP drive motor.

The above-ground drive motor keeps major mechanical components accessible while eliminating electrical equipment inside the well. This simplifies maintenance, supports operation under vacuum conditions, and helps maintain a clean, organized wellhead.

The Apollo Solar combines Blackhawk’s proven rod-driven piston technology with solar power to deliver reliable pumping in locations where traditional power sources aren’t available. Its solar-powered emission operation, low-maintenance design, and ability to pump at a steady flow rate make it an effective solution for landfill and environmental remediation projects.

 
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REACH OUT TO US

BLACKHAWK TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
1097 Hill Avenue
Glen Ellyn, IL, 60137

630.469.4916
Fax: 630.469.4896

BLACKHAWK TECHNOLOGY COMPANY is the originator and the No. 1 manufacturer of above-wellhead, top-head-drive, positive-displacement piston pumps – leading-edge technology refined by more than 30 years of customer-driven improvements. Blackhawk continues to introduce innovative products to the industry’s most comprehensive line of electric, pneumatic, solar and windmill -driven piston pumps and pump supplies, all designed to withstand the harshest weather and downhole pumping environments.

Founded in 1990, the company originated landfill and groundwater remediation piston pumps now covered by several patents and marks, with others pending. No company offers more real-world piston-pumping experience in landfills, elevated-temp zones, chemical facilities, RNG pipelines, brownfields, and hydrocarbon recovery sites throughout North America and abroad.