AC or DC for solar pumps based irrigation applications

We are a solar integrator based in India trying to come up with solar based pumps for irrigation and solar based water treatment systems for potable water for rural areas without grid power.. We have not found cost effective methods for solar based pumps other than solutions from World Water solar (out of NJ) which are very expensive (total cost per liter of potable water).

Any ideas on efficient pumps and manufacturers either AC or DC for solar based irrigation applications? Are we saying that DC pumps will not give you enough head/lift like AC pumps would? Also - I believe DC motors tend to burn out their brushes more often. I wonder if the life of AC pumps therefore is also longer than DC pumps?

AC motors are more common, cost less and more powerful. Not saying that DC motors are bad, just with the right solar design AC seems to be a better choice.

Use of Solar for water pumping is mainly due to the fact that water pumped when sun shines can be stored. The use of battery will make it expensive.
Nowadays DC motors are as good as AC motors in performance and life as such going for DEC motors should be generally preferred as this reduces losses.