Electric submersible pumps rely on grid electricity (or a generator) to draw water from the borehole. They generally have lower upfront cost but incur ongoing electricity and maintenance costs.

Solar pumps use photovoltaic (PV) panels to power the pump. They have higher initial investment but very low running costs, and they’re ideal in off-grid or unreliable-power areas.
For instance, one source notes that solar pump systems are costlier upfront but eliminate electricity expenses and provide reliability in remote locations.
Choosing between them depends on your electricity reliability, usage, depth of borehole, water yield and budget.