Water and energy are becoming more and more important in agriculture, urban areas and for the growing population worldwide, particularly in developing countries. To provide access to water it is necessary to use appropriate pumping systems and supply them with enough energy for operation. Pumps powered by solar photovoltaic energy are complex electromechanical systems that include hydraulic equipment, electrical machines, sensors, power converters, and control units. Therefore, solar photovoltaic pumping systems are associated with various fields of science and engineering. In remote, less-populated areas without electricity, where it is either challenging to connect to the grid or it is not possible, solar photovoltaic water pumping systems can play a significant role. To see whether solar photovoltaic pumping systems may be a practical, viable, and affordable method of pumping water it is necessary to study different aspects of their operation. The goal of this current article is to evaluate and outline recent research and advancement in the field of solar photovoltaic pumping systems. The major focus is on the standalone photovoltaic pumping system’s components, factors that affect system efficiency, performance evaluation, system optimization, and the potential for integration with modern control techniques. The main objective of this article is to give a broader overview of solar photovoltaic technologies for researchers, engineers, and decision-makers.