Automatic Solar Powered irrigation System

The project is designed to develop an automatic irrigation system which switches the pump motor ON/OFF on sensing the moisture content of the soil. In the field of agriculture, use of proper method of irrigation is important. The advantage of using this method is to reduce human intervention and sti

Project Title

Automatic Solar Powered irrigation System

Project Area of Specialization

Wearables and Implantable

Project Summary

The project is designed to develop an automatic irrigation system which switches the pump motor ON/OFF on sensing the moisture content of the soil. In the field of agriculture, use of proper method of irrigation is important. The advantage of using this method is to reduce human intervention and still ensure proper irrigation. The advantage of using this method is to reduce water losses, energy consumption, human intervention and still proper watering.

The project uses Arduino that is programmed to receive the input signal of varying conditions of soil moisture, rain, humidity, temperature through the sensing arrangement. This is achieved by an operational amplifier comparator which interfaces between the sensing arrangements. Once the controller receives the signal of current environmental conditions, it generates an output to tackle the situation by comparing the pre-set point values and the current values. After the analysis of the run time values the controller decides whether to switch on the pump or not through the relay circuit. An LCD screen is also interfaced with the controller to show the status of soil moisture, rain, humidity, water level and temperature. 

Also by the introduction of the use of solar energy in the project, a far more energy and water efficient system can be designed to contribute in the economic development of a country like Pakistan where agriculture is considered as a backbone of economy.

Project Objectives

The main objective of this project was to design a small scale irrigated system that would use water in more well-organized way in order to prevent excess water loss and minimize the cost of labor.The following aspects were considered in the choice of design solution

• Installation cost
• Water saving
• Human intervention
• Reliability
• Power consumption
• Maintenance
• Expandability

A critical Consideration in the segment costs, since cost define the viability and feasibility of a project. The water saving was also an important feature, since there is demand to decrease water loss and to Maximize the efficiency used. The Power consumption must also be monitored.

Project Implementation Method

• The system is divided into four main parts: Supply unit, Input unit (including sensors), Arduino, Output Unit (Water pumps and Display system) as shown in Fig. 1.
• The supply unit takes power from Solar and WAPDA and delivered to Arduino.
• The input unit includes the three fields of sensors (Moisture, Water level, Rain and temperature & Humidity sensor). 
• Arduino takes information from the fields of different sensors and act accordingly to start watering through water pump and display the status of sensors.
• Display unit is developed by using a GSM module (SIM900D) and LCD(20x4). The Alarm system is also introduced to make the system more efficient.

Benefits of the Project

• Less Human Intervention
• Efficient and time saving
• Energy & Water Saving
• Use of Renewable energy
• Increase in production of crops
• Economic development

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The prototype will take supply from solar panel and WAPDA directly. The supply then step down through step down transformer. Supply circuit is used for rectification. The supply from the solar panel pass through charging circuit and stored in battery and goes to supply circuit. So in this way the supply circuit feed the prototype.

This prototype is divided into four main following parts:

1. Input Unit:

                  The input unit includes the following sensors with specifications:

• Moisture Sensor= At open condition gives 99% value. But when it is dry then it gives 70 to 80% value at which watering starts (System Operates). And stops in wet condition when the sensor’s value is about 20 to 30% (System turn off).

• Rain Sensor= Below 40% sensor’s value watering is required (System Operates) and above 40% value upto 60 to 80% the system must stop.

• Water Level Sensor= it contains 3 levels (Low, Medium and High). At lower level the system will operate for watering. At medium or high level the system will turn off.

• Humidity & Temprature Sensor= It is according to the environment (Temprature= 17 to 25 degree celcius).

So all the input information will be sent to the Arduino which will perform action according to requirement.

1. Arduino:

               The Arduino mega 2560  will take input data from sensors and make analysis of the condition and perform action accorddingly. It has following detail:

• It contains 54 digital input pins (15 can be used as PWM output).
• It has 16 analog inputs
• It has 4 UARTs (Hardware serial ports).
• It ahs 16 MHz crystal oscillator.
• Operating voltage= 5V

So the Arduino will observe the condition of fields and gives signal to output unit to be act accordingly i.e start or stop system.

1. Output Unit:

                        The output unit includes the following:

• Water Pump & Relays=  The water pumps will take signal from Arduino through relays and start watering or stop watering if required.
• Display system= It includes the following:
  1. 1. LCD (To show output on screen with complete detail)
     2. GSM Module (To show output on mobile via message)
     3. Buzzer (It operates when system turn on or off).

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Type of Industry

Agriculture

Technologies

Wearables and Implantables

Sustainable Development Goals

Responsible Consumption and Production

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com