A solar water pumping system: this idea became the solution to the Cincinnati Nature Center’s dream of efficient, sustainable irrigation at its Long Branch Farm, a well-known Ohio nursery for native plants.
For years, the Cincinnati Nature Center’s Long Branch Farm faced a significant challenge — sustainable irrigation for its native plant nursery. The farm, known for nurturing plants essential to Ohio’s natural ecosystem, required a constant and reliable water source to maintain its operations from spring through fall. The Center was heavily dependent on water pumped through costly county lines and electricity from the grid. While a pond across the road could have provided a local solution, the cost of transferring water from the pond to the nursery was simply too high for the non-profit organization.
Utilizing renewable solar energy for sustainable water movement
This is where Soler Solutions stepped in, devising a solar-powered water pumping system that transformed the nature center’s irrigation methods. The system, which utilizes renewable solar energy to draw water from the nearby cattle pond, has eliminated the need for traditional grid electricity and drastically reduced the Center's water costs. What makes this system unique is its zero-carbon footprint — by harnessing the sun's power, the nursery now irrigates its fields without contributing to greenhouse gas emissions or draining financial resources.
In an interview with Cincinnati Nature Center’s Native Plant Manager, Jake Sberna, he highlights the significance of this project. The Center strives to operate sustainably by reusing materials and minimizing waste, but water use has long been an obstacle to fully achieving that goal. This new solar-powered system not only aligns with the Center’s environmental values but also supports future expansion, enabling the nursery to scale up its plant production without increasing its carbon or financial footprint.
The native plant nursery at Cincinnati Nature Center.
The benefits of installing the solar-powered water pump system in Nature Centers
One of the most compelling aspects of the system is its ease of assembly and immediate usability. The prototype was tested in collaboration with the Center, and the first mass-produced model was installed at Long Branch Farm in Summer 2023. Once fully implemented, the farm will be able to meet the water demands of both new plantings and mature specimens through drip irrigation and elevated spraying systems — all without a single kilowatt-hour of grid electricity.
This project doesn’t just stop at solving a problem for one non-profit farm — it represents a larger movement towards innovative, sustainable solutions that can be replicated on a global scale. Soler Solutions’ commitment to sustainability is an example of what can be achieved when technology, environmentalism, and community needs come together.
The implications of such a system are vast. From urban gardening to agricultural fields, solar-powered water pumping systems could play a pivotal role in reducing dependency on fossil fuels and unsustainable water use. They provide an affordable, eco-friendly alternative for operations that aim to align their practices with environmental stewardship.
Looking ahead, this partnership sets a precedent for other organizations, showing that innovation doesn’t always have to come at a high cost. In fact, it can be the key to saving money while protecting the environment — a win-win for nature and the community.
Addressing the ongoing water crisis in the US
The Cincinnati Nature Center’s solar water movement system is more than just a local success; it’s a testament to the power of human ingenuity in solving some of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. As we continue to face the growing challenges of climate change, initiatives like this remind us that solutions are within our reach, and often, the answers lie in working with the natural resources all around us.
In a world where sustainability can sometimes seem daunting and distant, this project brings hope — hope that with the right mindset, partnerships, and technology, we can take meaningful steps toward a greener, more sustainable future.
Learn more about joining the water movement with a solar-powered water pump system here.
Cincinnati Nature Center Native Plant Manager Jake Sberna poses with the solar-powered water pumping system.
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