DIY Solar Powered Drip Irrigation System: Valves, Controller, Zones and More

Come learn how to install an efficient solar-powered drip irrigation system, including an automated controller, valves, multiple zones or stations, various types of drip emitters, and more. Use this tutorial as inspiration to set up a new drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs, raised garden beds, flower beds and more - or to add a solar powered irrigation controller to an existing system.
Thank you so much for watching! Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.
Written article with even more detail, FAQ, and plenty of photos: homesteadandchill.com/solar-p...
NEW: Video showing how we created the new orchard space shown in this video, using natural permaculture-style berms. • New Orchard and Pollin...
PARTS AND SUPPLIES
Below is a list of all the supplies we used to set up our solar powered drip irrigation system. For anything that involves a PVC/threaded connection, note that I linked parts compatible with ¾ inch PVC. However, you should be able to toggle and choose different sizes if you’re working with a different pipe diameter, male vs female threaded parts, etc.
Solar irrigation controller and valves:
Hunter XC-Hybrid Irrigation Controller. Operates with traditional batteries OR is converted to 100% solar with the addition of a solar panel kit (below). Available with 6 stations or 12 stations.
aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
Hunter Solar Panel Kit: (compatible with Hunter XC hybrid): aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
Anti-siphon valves (ASV) - one per station. aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
DC Latching Solenoids - one per station. Standard ASV valves come with AC solenoids, but need to be swapped out for DC solenoids in order to be compatible with the solar controller. aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
Canister Filter - one per station. aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
Pressure regulator (20-30 PSI) - one per station. aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
Multi-strand irrigation or sprinkler wire, with enough wires for every station in your system - plus one. For instance, a 7 strand wire for a system with 6 zones. amzn.to/3onEQ4e
Drip line, couplers, and adapters:
PVC to Drip tubing adapters: aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
Standard ½ inch irrigation tubing: aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
Various ½” couplers (including tees or elbows), used to run ½” tubing throughout your landscape where needed: aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
Various drip emitters of choice, such as
adjustable bubbler emitters: aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
bubblers on stakes: aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
standard barbed 1 GPH emitters: aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
Solid ¼” micro-tubing, if you’d like to run drip emitters anywhere that isn’t directly adjacent to your main ½” tubing. aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
¼” barbed couplers to connect the ¼” drip tubing to the ½” main line tubing headers: aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
A hole punch tool: aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
Figure 8 clamps to end the main ½” lines: aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
Goof plugs are handy to plug any mistakes or unwanted holes in the 1/2″ tubing: aff.dripdepot.com/aff/idevaff...
Galvanized landscape staples to hold the drip line in place: www.amazon.com/dp/B01EWH0VWS?...
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[@anainjamul2056]

I am always so impressed by your knowledge and ability to get all the details of the project across. You have helped me so much and make it seem doable. Thank you! Love the kitty too!

[@HomesteadandChill]

Thank you so much for the kind words and we appreciate you watching the videos and hopefully you feel empowered to take on an irrigation project on your property! And yes, Badger (the cat) likes to help us out for most of our irrigation projects, but of course, he mostly just supervises 🤣

[@connaghankevin]

This is so well conceived and constructed! Well done!

[@HomesteadandChill]

Thank you so much! This orchard space was one of our largest but most favorite, most rewarding projects to date :)

[@GardeningwithDave]

Impressive solar drip system!

[@HomesteadandChill]

Thank you so much!

[@SAROXBAND]

Oh my Lord you have no idea how many years I have been waiting to see a KZbin video from you! I am so happy to have found it thank you for EVERYTHING you do 🙌❤

[@HomesteadandChill]

Thank you so much for watching, we have a few videos up for you to watch on various garden related things. We appreciate your support and have fun growing!

[@SAROXBAND]

@@HomesteadandChill Will be having so much fun watching & sharing them all! I’ve been following you for years on IG and could kick myself for not having seen this channel sooner! These are really fabulous 🌞♥️

[@Rashaskwork]

this was very useful for a projecy of mine ! thank you

[@HomesteadandChill]

Glad you found it so helpful!

[@RyanMercer]

Nice!

[@HomesteadandChill]

Hey thanks, and thanks for watching!

[@MeandYouHello]

Beautiful yard!

[@MeandYouHello]

Well thought out 👍 love this

[@MeandYouHello]

I’m in love with your property omg lol

[@Observer4321]

It’s great to see more KZbin videos lately. Keep up the great work. Much love

[@OurNewLand]

Great info! Thanks putting the video together. We're in the process of planning our off-grid irrigation system that will be used on 60(ish) fruit and chestnut trees next summer. Thanks again!

[@HomesteadandChill]

Sounds like you have quite the project lined up in the future, so glad you found it helpful and good luck on your orchard project!

[@chowe9]

What an incredible teacher!!

[@HomesteadandChill]

Thank you so much for the kind words and we hope you enjoyed the video!

[@HIMAXchannel]

Good ideas and many thanks

[@HomesteadandChill]

Thanks for watching!

[@amandathrasher1110]

We need more content. 😊

[@HomesteadandChill]

Lol, I appreciate the interest! Just published a new video this morning about how we terraced and created this new orchard space!

[@popeyeandy959]

So I would have started with zone 1 on the other side so later if/when you add more lines, they would be numbered sequencially. Also I would add a strain relief connector where your cable comes out of the PVC from your solar controller. Not so much to pprotect from pulling on the cable, but it also keeps critters out of the controller. Here in South Texas, Fire Ants like to find openings like that and get in the controllers. Badger was not helping much.

[@beverlywhite4255]

Yes, ants shut down our well getting into the control box. That was a surprise!!!

[@ihavethreesons21]

Love your videos. Can you provide links for the cutoff knobs as well as the spiciest and how the spickets connect to the PVC? Thanks!

[@HomesteadandChill]

Thank you so much, here is a link to the ball valve or shut off valve and the spigot we just get at our local hardware store. The spigot just twists onto the PVC riser as it is threaded on one end, we do use plumbers tape to help make a seal. Hope that helps and reach out if you have more questions. www.dripdepot.com/item/pvc-slip-ball-valve-size-three-quarter-inch

[@popeyeandy959]

I see the links for the filter and the pressure regulator are the same

[@HomesteadandChill]

Thanks for catching that- just updated!

[@syexplorarconmigo8853]

Quick question---- if you did not have a running water source (city or well) what size Pump GPM do you think you would need in order to draw the water you need for your orchard? I am asking because I am an Offgrid Blueberry + Citrus Farmer here in FL... And I am making a shopping list to mirror some of your set up. However, I use rain catchment for gathering water ATM... Hence my question on what size pump i would need to sustain a system like yours... Enjoyed the vid + level of detail!! Bravo.... Cheers.... Skipper T

[@HomesteadandChill]

I would only recommend getting a pump if you have at least 500 gallons of rain water catchment and it refills with regular rainfall. You may have to do the math on the type of emitters (GPH) and the number of plants or trees you need to irrigate but a 1 HP booster pump should be enough to power your irrigation system. We have an article on rainwater catchment if you want to check it out further and we also link to a booster pump as well: homesteadandchill.com/rainwater-collection-systems-101/

[@skydogo14]

Hi, Thank you for the video! Can you please provide the names for the Solar Panel device, Battery that you installed for solar charging and Hunter Irrigation controller name? I would really appreciate it!

[@skydogo14]

Found it: Hunter Sprinkler SPXCH Solar Panel Kit for XC Hybrid and Hunter Sprinkler XCH1200 X-Core Hybrid 12-Station Indoor or Outdoor Sprinkler Timer

[@HomesteadandChill]

@@skydogo14 Yep, the one we use is linked in the caption, good luck!

[@kevinbieker8389]

I’m currently redoing my irrigation. I had been using DIG battery operated timers and they have been unreliable. I do have the Hunter controllers near my house and they have worked great. I’m contemplating putting in one of these Hunter solar powered controllers and I’m wondering if you have had any problems with it?

[@HomesteadandChill]

We have never had an issue with our solar powered Hunter controllers, we have one on the property that we inherited that is probably at least 7 years old and it works without fail. Setting your irrigation schedule can be tricky but just follow the set up instructions and you will be good to go.

[@asmastewart9265]

Where did you get the burlap? Have a similar project and having a hard time finding quality burlap.

[@HomesteadandChill]

We have a local irrigation supply store that supplies most landscapers and irrigation specialists along with the average consumer to order us some 7 ounce untreated burlap from Cherokee Manufacturing, I'll add a link to the company below. You could also use "burlap tarps" which are untreated and are double layered burlap squares that are bout 80"x80". A lot of landscape companies use them as tarps for plant debris, you may be able to find them locally if you ask around or have an irrigation supply store near you as well. Hope that helps and good luck!

[@asmastewart9265]

@@HomesteadandChill Thank you as always!

[@belindagrantham3856]

How can you drain this for winter temps?

[@HomesteadandChill]

Thankfully we don't have to do any winterization for our drip irrigation system as we don't have freezing weather. For the drip lines themselves, it would help to have a low point in the system where you can add a valve or just open the end of the tubing so water will leave the system due to gravity to make sure there is no water in the lines before the winter weather sets in.

[@skydogo14]

backflow preventer ???

[@HomesteadandChill]

Did you have a question in regards to the backflow preventer? There is a backflow preventer inside each of the valves at the main manifold.

[@skydogo14]

thanks!@@HomesteadandChill

[@4heitjer]

don't understand why you did not install the manifold down at the garden, you could have saved a lot of money in PVC pipe. Also, reducing the pressure to 25 psi and then adding the head from the height difference defeats the purpose of installing the pressure reducer.