Development of a solar-powered system for soil monitoring with an automated irrigation feature
1 Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nigerian Defense Academy, Nigeria.
2 Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Power and Machine), Nigerian Defense Academy, Nigeria.
3 Science Laboratory Technology Research Department, Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), Abuja.
4 Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nigerian Defense Academy, Nigeria.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences, 2023, 10(02), 018–029.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjaets.2023.10.2.0281
Publication history:
Received on 12 September 2023; revised on 02 November 2023; accepted on 04 November 2023
Abstract:
This study focuses on the development of a solar-powered system with an automated irrigation feature for soil monitoring. The project aims to design and develop a solar-powered system with at least 2 days of autonomy that integrates soil monitoring, irrigation, and solar management functions using a microcontroller-based platform. The system comprises essential components such as a humidity sensor for measuring atmospheric water content and a soil moisture sensor for evaluating soil moisture levels. These sensors are meticulously calibrated to ensure accurate assessment of soil conditions. To maintain uninterrupted timekeeping, a real-time clock is implemented, even during power outages. The system utilizes an Arduino microcontroller as the central hub for implementing a programmed algorithm. During specific time intervals (6:00 am - 6:30 am, 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm, and 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm), the system actively monitors soil moisture and humidity levels. When either of these levels drops below a predefined threshold, the algorithm triggers a relay module to establish a connection between the microcontroller and water pumps. Controlled by the microcontroller, the water pumps deliver water to the plants until the desired moisture level is reached, after which they automatically turn off. By combining solar power, soil monitoring, and automated irrigation, this technology represents a significant advancement in promoting efficient and eco-friendly farming practices. Its primary objectives include optimizing crop yield, conserving water resources, addressing challenges associated with conventional methods, and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Keywords:
Photovoltaic; Microcontroller; Soil Moisture Sensor; Temperature; Real-Time Clock
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Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0