Abstract: An efficient solar powered irrigation controller system is disclosed with methods for implementing and operating the system. In a solar powered irrigation system, an irrigation controller is configured to deliver a predetermined alternating current voltage to a plurality of solenoid valves for activating the valves. A photovoltaic system is electrically coupled to the irrigation controller and supplies the predetermined alternating current voltage, rather than 110 VAC line voltage, thereby eliminating the necessity for step-down transformer in the controller. The scheduling of the watering duration in the irrigation cycles is predicated on the amount of solar radiation received at the site, in conjunction with the solar cells in the photovoltaic system, thereby lowering the power consumption of the controller and the plurality of solenoid valves corresponding with solar radiation received at the solar cells.