Design and implementation of a solar-powered smart irrigation system

Abstract

According to the Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, Agriculture is a major user of ground and surface water in the United States, accounting for approximately 80 percent of the Nation's consumptive water use and over 90 percent in many Western States. This paper addresses water scarcity and food crisis by designing and implementing a smart irrigation system. It presents the details of a solar-powered automated irrigation system that dispenses the exact amount of water required depending on the soil moisture, hence minimizing the waste of water. A network of sensor nodes is used to collect the humidity and temperature of the soil which is transmitted to a remote station. This data will be analyzed and used to remotely control the amount of water dispensed by solenoid valves. The designed project is currently operating at the university-owned agricultural experimental research station. The system can be tailored to the type of food or crop being grown. The design team incorporated the theory of digital control and feedback systems, and digital communication in the design and implementation of this project. The automated drip irrigation system will help reduce the problems associated with water waste in farming, avoid evaporation, and as a result increase food crop production.