2025 Irrigation System Retrofit Decision-Support Tool
DOWNLOADMay 29, 2025 - Sungmin Cheu, Molly Sears and Younsuk Dong, Michigan State University Extension
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EmailThe Irrigation System Retrofit Decision Support Tool helps farmers evaluate retrofitting sprinkler packages. This tool estimates water and energy savings after a retrofit, as well as the payback period for the initial investment. This spreadsheet calculates the expected rate of return and payback period for retrofitting an irrigation system sprinkler package.
The overall return on retrofit investment depends on two key factors:
- Energy savings: achieved through improved uniformity. Energy savings depend on the uniformity levels before and after the retrofit, as well as the prevailing energy prices.
- Initial retrofit costs: determined by the size of the irrigation system, the type or brand of the sprinkler package, and the associated labor costs for installation.
Note: This tool does not consider potential yield benefits from improved irrigation uniformity. Therefore, its calculations represent a conservative, lower-bound estimate of the benefits of retrofitting the system.
