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Off-grid groundwater cotton irrigators using traditional technologies have had few options to reduce water extraction costs. New options of blending of Alternating Current and Direct Current through an all-in-one soft start converter/controller offer opportunities to lower costs, diversify fuel sources and continuous off-grid power in remote locations. Diesel energy can be replaced by renewable fuel sources through installing an electric submersible pump powered by solar photovoltaic in combination with a diesel generator. An investment analysis using a discounted cashflow over 25 years showed a 23% internal rate of return and payback over 5 years. Benefits of installing a renewable fuel source included lower greenhouse gas emissions per bale of cotton produced and less labour to monitor and service traditional diesel irrigation plant. Emissions calculations reveal a reduction of 26%, or 35 kg CO 2 e per cotton lint bale, and an abatement of 2665 t/CO 2 e for the life of the project. The cost of emissions abatement under the Renewable Energy Target to displace almost one million litres of diesel was found to be $31 t CO 2 e. • A microgrid solution reducing energy costs and emissions is analysed for an irrigation pump in NSW, Australia. • The microgrid includes photovoltaic panels and a diesel generator used to power a submersible pump 24 h a day. • The analysis indicates a 5-year payback and 23 per cent internal rate of return for the investment. • Emissions are reduced by 26 per cent (per 227 kg cotton lint bale) equating to 2665 t/CO 2 e abatement over the project life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]