SOLAR POWERED AUTOMATED IRRIGATION SYSTEM

mechanical engineering

This paper throws light on development procedure of an embedded system for solar based Off-Grid irrigation system. Solar power is absolutely perfect for use with irrigation systems. Using Solar Panel, the sun energy will be converted to electrical power which will be stored in batteries. When the sun is rising and shining, the solar panel will absorb the energy of the sun which will charge the batteries. For generation of maximum energy, it is important to maintain solar panels face always perpendicular to the sun. For this purpose Light Detecting Resistors (LDR’s) are placed on the solar panel which helps in tracking maximum intensity of sunlight This tracking movement of the panel is achieved by mounting the solar panel on a stepper motor. This stepped motor rotates the mounted panel as per signal received from the programmed Arduino controller. Soil moisture sensor is placed inside soil to sense the moisture conditions of the soil. Based on moisture sensor values, the water pump is switched on and off automatically. When moisture level of the soil is reaches below a certain value, the soil moisture sensor sends the signal to Arduino to start the pump by using stored solar energy. At the same time, using GSM technique Arduino sends a message on farmers mobile about status of the pump. The arduino completes the above job as it receives signals from the soil moisture sensors, and these signals functions as per program stored in ROM of the Arduino. The LDR’s values, soil moisture values, condition of the pump i.e., on/off are displayed on a 16x2 LCD which is interfaced to the Arduino.

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