Solar-Powered Cultivation and Production of Straw Mushroom in a Closed and Controlled Environment

Abstract

Temperature and humidity control are important technology for the quality and quantity of straw mushroom production. The energy of this technology is electricity, consequently high-cost long-term. This research study is on the usage of solar energy in terms of electricity and thermal for environmental control in the straw mushroom house (SH). The electricity uses a 0.325 kW photovoltaic with 2 units deep cycle 6 V 220 Ah battery in series connection. The increasing temperature using a 2.5 m2 solar collector with 200 L storage. The conditions were specified temperature and humidity which were 25-38 °C and 80-90% respectively. Under this condition by using 3 units 0.060 kW water pump, 2 units 0.012 kW ventilation fans, and 0.012 kW control system. The results showed that the outside temperature and humidity were 20.53-41.35 °C and 30-100% respectively. The generated electricity was around 421.08 kWh/y and the heating water system was around 50 °C, it is enough to supply SH's electricity needs 315.36 kWh/y and SH's temperature. The efficiency of generated electricity and hot water system was 27.77% and 40.17% respectively. The designed solar power generation system could produce enough energy for the conditions control systems of the SH throughout the experiment.