Old Well Needs Update

We have in our front yard a well that was built before 1865. It is the type where you can open the lid and has pulley system for dropping bucket into well. I want to use this water for irrigation in times of drought. What are some good methods besides electric or petrol powered pumps. It is in the front yard under beautiful trees and so windmill right over it is not an option. Can we use windmill at a distance and pump directly onto crops and orchard ? Or would it be better to pump into storage tank and use gravity to send it down hill . Well is on higher level so most of the water is going at least at slight angle down hill. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thank you.

How deep is the well? That will probably affect what is possible and how expensive it is. You probably want to pump into a storage tank, because wind pumping is slow. I think the windmill needs to be right over the well, because pumping is mechanical with a rod. I do know compared to photovoltaic that windmills are extremely expensive. I estimated it would cost $18,000 for a windmill to pump from our well. I think windmills are a wonderful durable technology and under different circumstances I would definitely want to have one, but it is an investment for the long-term.

What are some good resources for photovoltaic systems - that strikes a chord .

I purchased the components for our PV well pump from Backwoods Solar. http://www.backwoodssolar.com/

Cost of panels, pump, pipe and wire was $1800. This was for a small, slow pump to pump into a storage tank. The bigger the tank, the more you'll be able to irrigate. Tanks are moderately expensive. We still need to have a stand built for the PV panels and will probably get a new pressure tank and a booster pump (you won't need these unless you need pressurized water), so there are a few additional expenses, but we hope to install the pump ourselves. If you hire someone to do the work, labor will probably be the most expensive part, expect it to at least double the cost.

Thanks Tyler

@ Wayne,

In your location, I believe that wind power would be a huge waste of money.
Check out this national map which shows average wind power potentials for the U.S.:

Apparently tornados don't figure into the equation.