Solar Based Hydroponics Farm Management System

Abstract

This study develops a solar-based hydroponic farm management system that combines renewable energy with automated control of nutrient delivery and environmental factors. The system uses solar panels to power sensors and actuators that monitor water quality, moisture, and nutrient levels, enabling efficient and sustainable crop cultivation without reliance on grid electricity. Real-time data monitoring through IoT ensures optimal growing conditions, improving crop yield and resource efficiency. This solution promotes eco-friendly, energy-independent farming suitable for areas with limited power access.

Introduction

This paper presents a solar-powered, automated hydroponics farm management system designed to promote sustainable agriculture, especially in off-grid and rural areas. The system integrates renewable energy (solar panels) with automation using an Arduino microcontroller, which collects real-time data from soil moisture and pH sensors. When moisture levels fall below a set threshold, a water pump is automatically activated to irrigate crops. The data is displayed on an LCD screen, helping farmers make informed decisions without manual monitoring.

The system uses organic materials like soil mixed with cow dung for fertilization and minimizes reliance on chemical inputs. It's energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and ideal for small-scale farms, gardens, and educational setups. Power is supplied through a solar-charged battery, ensuring reliable operation without grid electricity.

Literature Insights

• Prior studies have explored IoT-enabled hydroponics and solar-powered agriculture for improving efficiency, reducing labor, and conserving resources.

• Researchers have shown that solar-powered hydroponics systems can function efficiently in remote areas, though challenges include initial cost and maintenance.

• Comparisons show solar-powered systems offer greater energy independence and lower carbon footprints than conventional systems.

Research Objectives

1. Build an off-grid solar-powered hydroponic system.

2. Use sensors to monitor pH, EC, temperature, humidity, and water level.

3. Implement a closed-loop setup to reduce water/nutrient waste and enhance sustainability.

Methodology & Data

• Utilized solar PV panels, buck-boost converters, charge controllers, and lithium-ion batteries (14.8V total).

• The hydroponic system maintains optimal pH (5.5–6.5) and runs on 13.2V solar output with 6–8 hours of battery backup.

• Panels: 4 units, each 70x70 mm, generating 1.32W of power (13.2V, 0.1A).

Conclusion

The solar-based hydroponics farm management system demonstrates a sustainable and efficient approach to modern agriculture by combining renewable energy with automated nutrient and environmental control. This integration not only reduces dependence on grid electricity but also optimizes water and nutrient usage, leading to improved crop yield and quality.

References

[1] T. Nguyen, “Effect of solar canals on evaporation and water conservation,” Journal of Environmental Engineering, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 250–257, 2022. [2] M. Lee and S. Park, “IoT-based smart hydroponics farm monitoring system using solar energy,” IEEE Access, vol. 9, pp. 12345–12356, 2021. [3] P. Singh and R. Verma, “Evaluation of solar energy systems for off-grid agricultural applications,” Renewable Energy, vol. 150, pp. 156–165, 2020.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Pavan Kumar R L, B M Darshan, Soniya M Chavan, Rishitha H. S. , Avinash C M. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.