Center Pivot Movement Costs
Calculates the electric energy costs to move a center pivot around in a circle for a season. Does not include pumping energy costs. Requires an estimate of the irrigation system operating hours per season. The lessons from this calculator are that the movement costs are small compared to the potential return from the crop, but that a lower % setting saves money (same water applied, less movement). Slower pivots are more efficient with the water as well (less evaporation losses from a wet canopy). General guidelines are to slow the pivot down until you start having problems with runoff, then adjust it up a little. Learn more about the units used on this page.
The Equations
Where:
= Irrigation system operating hours per season (hrs)
= Average pivot % setting (decimal, or %/100)
= Number of pivot towers. Assumes equal spacing between towers (not always true, but it will get you close).
= Pivot tower drive motor size (hp).
= Electric motor efficiency (decimal). This calculator assumes a 78% efficiency.