OICC Press International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering 2251-6832 15 02 (June 2024) 2024 06 30 Solar Dish-Stirling Pump for Irrigation: Site Suitability and Performance Assessment 10.57647/ijeee.2024.1502.07 EN Tesfaye Abera Tesema Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, P.O. Box: 378, Jimma, Ethiopia Venkata Ramayya Ancha Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, P.O. Box: 378, Jimma, Ethiopia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9673-4548 Endeshaw Alemu Bekele Department of Astronautics, Electrical and Energetics Engineering DIAEE, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3671-2558 Ephrem Assefa Feyissa Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, Bule Hora University, P.O. Box: 144, Bule Hora, Ethiopia Journal Article 2024 06 30 The growing global population has intensified demand for water, food, and energy, straining fossil fuel reserves and accelerating  climate change. Water scarcity, especially in developing countries, hinders sustainable development. Enhancing agricultural  productivity through modern irrigation technologies is essential to reducing rain-fed dependence and ensuring food security. Solar  energy offers a sustainable alternative for irrigation. This study evaluates a solar dish concentrator integrated with a Stirling engine- driven pump and conical cavity receiver. The system, featuring a 2.8 m aperture diameter and 0.4 m depth concentrator, was assessed  across four Ethiopian sites (Ziway, Dangila, Itang, and Jigjiga) based on solar radiation, groundwater potential, and irrigation demand. Using a weighted matrix method, Ziway was identified as the most suitable site for detailed analysis. COMSOL Multiphysics simulation showed an average receiver surface temperature of 574 K. Results indicate that solar radiation variations significantly affect thermal output, dish efficiency, and flow rate. Under optimal conditions, concentrator and Stirling engine efficiencies reached 83.69% and 39.01%, with overall energy and exergy efficiencies of 23.38% and 25.07%. The system produced 132 W peak power and 24,240 L/day flow, confirming potential for sustainable irrigation and rural development.