Water your herd with the sun
Remote pasture, zero power lines, cattle that need water every single day. Dankoff solar surface pumps have been moving stock water since 1983 — no fuel hauling, no grid bills, and rebuildable components engineered for decades of service.
Get Your Stock Tank System Sizing
Tell us your head count, well depth, and pipeline distances — our factory engineers calculate your solar array, pump model, and stock tank sizing free of charge.
20 galdaily water per cow/calf pair — our sizing guide does the math for your whole herd
- Made in the USA since 1983 — the world's first solar pump manufacturer
- 15-20 year life expectancy with regular maintenance and user-replaceable wear parts
- Free system design: our engineers confirm every sizing before you buy
Why Growers & Ranchers Choose Dankoff Solar
Manufactured in the USA since 1983 — built for remote off-grid independence.
Zero Fuel & Power Bills
Operates 100% on direct sunshine with no batteries required for standard stock and irrigation setups.
Water When Needed Most
Sun-synchronous delivery ensures peak water volume during the hottest, driest months of the year.
Field Serviceable in Minutes
Solid cast iron and brass bodies with user-replaceable wear parts. No disposable plastic throwaways.
Certified Factory Sizing
Our engineers calculate pipe friction, total dynamic head, and exact PV array size free of charge.
Calculate Your System Requirements in 10 Seconds
Select your state and estimated daily gallons to see local peak sun hours and recommended pump model.
Size it in ten seconds
The livestock setup
A PV-direct system pumping into a stock tank — no batteries, water storage of 3-7 days' demand, and a float switch to shut off when the tank is full. The simplest and most durable system for most applications.
Find Your Pump
Five steps from your numbers to the right model — free engineering review included.
SunCentric Pump
Up to 50,000 gallons/day from ponds, springs and shallow sources — tolerates dirty water.
SolaRam Surface Pump
High lift for pushing water far uphill to distant tanks — over one mile of pipeline.
Solar vs. the alternatives on the range
| Evaluation Factor | Solar electric system | Diesel generator / windmill |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | None — the sun is free | Fuel hauling or wind dependency |
| Attention | Unattended operation | Site visits, refueling, repairs |
| Water when you need it | Most sun in the seasons of most demand | Least wind in late summer |
| Working life | 15-20 years with regular maintenance, rebuildable | Constant maintenance cycles |
Comparison from Dankoff's published guide 'Solar Water Pumping Basics and Terminology'.
“Chose this pump for the best reputation for off-grid reliability and durability”
— Chris, TX
Common Questions & Technical Answers
Direct engineering answers to the sizing, installation, and field reliability questions we receive daily from ranchers and solar installers.
Have an unlisted question or complex site?
Our engineers in Santa Fe, NM and Frederick, OK calculate total dynamic head and friction loss for your exact setup.
+1 505-471-346901How much water does my herd need?
Dankoff's sizing guide figures 20 gallons per day per cow/calf pair, 15-20 for a horse or beef animal and 30-35 for a milking cow. Multiply by head count, divide by your area's peak sun hours, and you have the flow your pump must deliver — the calculator on this page does it for you.
02Do I need batteries?
Usually not. A PV-direct system pumps whenever the sun shines and stores water — not electricity — in your stock tank. Dankoff recommends storing 3-7 days of demand; only about five percent of solar pumping systems use a battery bank.
03What if my water is silty pond or ditch water?
Choose a dirty-water-tolerant model: SunCentric, SolarForce or SolaRam. The SlowPump and FlowLight require filtered clear water.
04What happens when the tank is full?
A float switch shuts the pump off remotely — it is a standard Dankoff accessory.