Sun Pumps

What Sun Pumps does

Sun Pumps, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned American manufacturer of solar-powered water pumping systems headquartered in Safford, Arizona, where it has designed and assembled products since its 1985 founding as SolarJack by Jim and Sandy Allen. The company builds submersible and surface pumps across multiple proprietary lines — SDS (Solar Diaphragm Submersible), SCS (Solar Centrifugal Submersible), HR (Helical Rotor for deep wells), SCB, SPB triplex piston, SIJ plunger, SCV vertical, and SJT shallow well jet — paired with brushless DC motors (86–90% efficiency) and MPPT controllers. Systems cover well depths from 60 to 850 ft and flow capacities up to 20,000+ GPD, with solar-direct operation (no batteries required for ~90% of livestock/irrigation applications). Product pricing spans roughly $2,940 for a basic kit to $24,000+ for custom industrial systems.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales across three channels: factory-direct phone-based sales from Safford, AZ; a 40+ dealer network across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Australia (with 12 dealers carrying field-service trucks); and direct-to-consumer e-commerce at sunpumps.com. An aftermarket parts and repair business (diaphragm kits, helical rotor sleeves, motors, rebuild kits) provides recurring revenue, with parts stocked back to 2002 and custom machining available for older units. Pricing is quote-based rather than published, with dealer tiers ranging from $1,500 minimum initial order to Master Distributor multi-state stocking arrangements, and annual Pump School training at $200/seat. Ownership transitioned in 2025 to the Hoisington families (Garrett & Jenna on engineering/operations; Tate & Tiffinny on strategy/customer), with no external venture, private equity, or institutional capital involved.

Name

Sun Pumps

Legal name

Sun Pumps, Inc.

Website

https://sunpumps.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sun Pumps is a family-owned American manufacturer of solar-powered water pumping systems based in Safford, Arizona since 1985, serving ranchers, farmers, off-grid homeowners, and conservation projects across 7 countries via factory-direct sales and a 40+ dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Water Pumping Systems

NAICS

Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391), Measuring, Dispensing, and Other Pumping Equipment Manufacturing (333914)

SIC

Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561), Farm Machinery & Equipment (3523)

akta.pro primary industry

Pump Systems & Pumping Stations (Surface, Submersible, Booster) (AFAAACAC)

Keywords

• Solar water pumps
• Solar pump controllers
• Livestock watering systems
• Solar irrigation systems
• Off-grid water systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Azusa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Solar Pump Sales: One-time sale of solar water pumping systems including pumps, controllers, panels, mounting hardware, and plumbing components. Systems range from $2,940 (basic kit) to $24,000+ (custom industrial systems).
2. Parts and Repair Services: Replacement parts including diaphragm kits ($89), helical rotor sleeves ($245), pump motors ($340-$420), and full rebuild kits. In-house repair services and field service in southeastern Arizona.
3. Dealer Program: Wholesale pricing to 40+ active dealers with tiered structure (Dealer, Certified Dealer, Master Distributor). Inventory requirements from $2,000-$24,000 average system prices.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sun Pumps designs, assembles, and sells solar-powered water pumping systems in Safford, Arizona, including submersible diaphragm (SDS), centrifugal (SCS), helical rotor (HR), surface, pool, and booster pumps, supported by MPPT controllers, brushless DC motors, and AC motor drives. Systems are sold as complete kits, components, and repair parts for off-grid livestock watering, irrigation, residential, pool/pond, and wildlife conservation applications. Phone-based application engineering and a 40+ dealer channel support sales across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Australia.

Product overview

Sun Pumps is a manufacturer of solar-powered water pumping products and systems, founded in 1985 and based in Safford, Arizona. The product portfolio centers on four main pump lines: SDS (Solar Diaphragm Submersible) for shallow to medium-depth wells, SCS (Solar Centrifugal Submersible) for medium to deep applications, HR (Helical Rotor) for high-head deep wells, and various surface pumps including SIJ plunger pumps, SPB triplex piston pumps, SCV vertical pumps, and SJT shallow well jet pumps. The company offers complete application solutions for livestock watering, irrigation, home/cabin systems, pool/pond, and wildlife conservation. Supporting products include brushless DC motors, PCC/PCA pump controllers, VS variable speed motor controllers, SPV AC motor drives, CM MP monitoring controllers, wireless switches, and a full range of repair parts and service kits. The systems integrate with inverter brands including Outback, Magnum, Schneider, Victron, and EG4 for off-grid power applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SDS Diaphragm Submersible Pumps Solar diaphragm submersible pumps for shallow to medium-depth wells (60-230 ft). Available in T and Q series variants with flow rates from 0.6-4.8 GPM, designed for low power requirements and proven reliability for livestock and off-grid applications.
• SCS Centrifugal Submersible Pumps Solar centrifugal submersible pumps for medium to deep wells (90-620 ft head) with flow rates from 8-230 GPM and brushless DC motor options, suited for medium flow agricultural and livestock applications.
• HR Helical Rotor Submersible Pumps High-head helical rotor submersible pumps for deep wells (525-850 ft head), AC/DC capable with brushless motors, 5-12 GPM flow rates for deep-well livestock and irrigation use.
• SPB Triplex Piston High-Pressure Booster Pumps High-pressure surface booster pumps for livestock watering and irrigation with up to 2,300 ft head, 1-12 GPM flow, and 90-180V operation.
• SIJ Plunger Pumps (Brushless) High-pressure plunger pumps with brushless motors for various applications. Pressures from 160-1500 PSI, flow rates 0.67-3.4 GPM.
• SCP Solar Pool Pumps Solar pool circulation pumps with brushless DC motors. Variable speed, 48-240V options, 48-170 GPM flow rates for pools up to 40,000 gallons.
• SCV Vertical Multistage Pumps Solar vertical multistage pumps with brushless DC motors. 60 GPM, 162 ft head, 48V operation for various water transfer applications.
• SJT Shallow Well Jet Pumps Solar shallow well jet pumps for wells up to 100 ft depth. 5-19 GPM flow, 60-120V DC options.
• Brushless DC Motors High-efficiency permanent magnet brushless DC motors for submersible and surface pump applications, with 86-90% efficiency, 0.75-3.5 HP, 3000 RPM, and various voltage options (48-240V). Assembled in Safford, AZ.
• PCC/PCA Solar Pump Controllers Solar pump controllers providing MPPT and motor commutation for brushless DC pumps. Available in various voltage ranges (30-240V) and current ratings with built-in protection against dry run, overload, and overheating.

Quantifiable outcome

• 0$ energy cost after install with 10-20 year payback
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• USDA NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-standing relationship supporting NRCS-funded conservation projects. Provides equipment lists, practice specification sheets, solar array sizing memos, warranty letters, and itemized invoices for EQIP and similar programs. Sun Pumps equipment utilized on many Federal and state funded projects.
• NRCS Funded ProjectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEquipment qualifies for NRCS cost-share programs (EQIP). Company supports producers through grant application process with technical documentation. 65% reimbursement rates available in many states for qualifying projects.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Others

• Flowserve: Global industrial pump and valve manufacturer serving oil & gas, power, chemical, and water markets. Adjacent rather than directly competitive with Sun Pumps, but represents the broader industrial pump ecosystem where the company could potentially expand with its SPV AC motor drives.

Direct peers

• Shakti Pumps: Large Indian solar pump manufacturer and one of the world's largest producers of solar submersible pumps. Competes aggressively on price in U.S. and global ag/irrigation markets, representing the low-cost import alternative that Sun Pumps explicitly positions against.
• Dankoff Solar Pumps: U.S.-based solar pump specialist focused on off-grid livestock watering, irrigation, and residential applications. Closely comparable niche player with similar engineer-led phone sales approach and dealer distribution model targeting the same western U.S. ranching market.
• CRI Pumps: Indian manufacturer of solar submersible pumps and broader pumping solutions. Active in global ag and residential markets with cost-competitive solar pumps, representing another low-cost alternative in segments where Sun Pumps competes on durability and service.
• Lorentz: German-headquartered specialist manufacturer of solar-powered water pumps with helical rotor and centrifugal submersible lines. Directly competes with Sun Pumps in the global off-grid livestock, irrigation, and residential solar pumping market with similar MPPT controller and brushless motor technology.

Broad incumbents

• Grundfos: Global Danish pump manufacturer and the world's largest pump producer, with the SQFlex solar pump line directly competing in off-grid solar pumping. Operates across residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural segments, dwarfing Sun Pumps in scale but offering solar as one product line among many.
• Xylem: Global water technology giant formed from ITT's water businesses, offering pumps, treatment, and metering solutions. Operates across municipal, industrial, agricultural, and residential water markets at massive scale, with solar pumping as part of its broader portfolio.
• Franklin Electric: U.S.-listed global leader in water systems including submersible pumps, motors, and fueling systems. Offers solar pumping solutions alongside grid-powered systems, serving agricultural, residential, and industrial markets at significantly larger scale than Sun Pumps.

Emerging players

• EcoFlow: Fast-growing portable power and solar products company expanding into solar water pumping and off-grid home solutions. Represents a new category of well-funded, consumer-brand-focused competitor entering adjacent off-grid and rural markets.
• Davey Water Products: Australia-based water equipment manufacturer with strong presence in rural, agricultural, and pool markets. Comparable in targeting off-grid and rural customers with pump and water management solutions, though its solar pump line is less developed than Sun Pumps'.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Sunpumps
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@sun-pumps
• Facebookfacebook.com/sunpumps
• Instagraminstagram.com/sunpumps

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sun Pumps