SOLARED-POWER AUTOMATIC PLANT WATERING SYSTEM WITH

RAIN CATCHER INTEGRATION BASED ON ARDUINO

A research paper presented to the faculty of

Samal National High School
Senior High School

In partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the subject
Research/Capstone Project

By
Baltazar, Bernard Gabriel III M.
Maligro, Aimie M
Sumandal, Marnelie M.
April 2024
INTRODUCTION

Solar power is an eco-friendly and sustainable energy option that can be

harnessed to generate electricity (Alex, 2016). Recent studies by Johnson et al. (2020)
emphasize the increasing global demand for renewable energy sources like solar
power due to their potential to mitigate climate change and reduce environmental
impact. Utilizing solar panels on a large scale is an effective approach that not only
provides a suitable solution but also helps in preserving significant amounts of
energy. Research by Wang and Li (2017) underscores the cost-effectiveness of solar
energy systems, making them an attractive option for both developed and developing
countries. Additionally, Findings from the International Energy Agency (IEA, 2020)
indicate that solar energy could significantly contribute to meeting worldwide energy
sustainability goals.

Problems with energy supply and use are related not only to global warming
but also to such environmental concerns as air pollution, acid precipitation, ozone
depletion, forest destruction, and emission of radioactive substances, according to
Gekas et al. (2015). As global warming intensifies, temperatures are rising rapidly
worldwide, causing increased evaporation of water from plants, soil dryness, and
depletion of groundwater levels, leading to water scarcity (Gosling, 2013).

Thus, automatic water machines are also available on the market, but they
come with several disadvantages. Farmers must manually control the machine,
leading to potential over-irrigation as there is no way to gauge soil moisture. An
efficient approach to watering plants automatically is by building a system that
activates and deactivates based on soil moisture levels (Mayuree et al., 2019).
Additionally, a study conducted by Smith and Patel (2018) emphasizes the
significance of implementing sustainable water management techniques in farming to
tackle water scarcity problems worsened by climate change. Hence, a Solar Power
Automatic Plant Watering System with Rain Catcher is necessary to design for these
problems to overcome.
Literature Review

According to Bains et al., Watering plants is crucial and labor-intensive in

daily greenhouse operations. Automated watering systems alleviate this burden by
ensuring plants receive water when needed. Determining the timing and amount of
water are key aspects of the process. To simplify gardening tasks, an automatic plant
watering system, utilizing various methods such as sprinklers and tubes, is developed
using an Arduino board with an Atmega328 Microcontroller. This system senses plant
moisture levels and supplies water as necessary, commonly used for both small and
large gardens. The microcontroller is programmed to water plants twice daily, in the
morning and evening. Despite the joy of nurturing plants, many struggle to maintain
their health. To address this, a prototype has been created, enabling plants to self-
water from a large tank, reducing the challenges associated with plant care due to
absence or forgetfulness.

Joaquín Gutiérrez, Juan Francisco et al., discuss a system employing

temperature and soil moisture sensors, alongside a gateway unit, to relay data to a web
application. An algorithm, programmed into a microcontroller, controls water quantity
based on sensor readings. Solar power is utilized, with a cellular-Internet interface
enabling remote monitoring and irrigation scheduling via a web page. Tested over 142
days, the system achieved a 92% water savings compared to traditional methods, with
successful implementations lasting 1 year and 6 months in other locations, suggesting
its potential for water-limited and geographically isolated areas.

Thomas J. Jackson, et al., propose an automatic irrigation system model

relying on controllers with solar power for energy. Sensors placed in rice fields
monitor water levels, enabling farmers to control motors remotely via cellular phones.
If water levels become critical, the system automatically shuts off the motor without
farmer intervention.

Samysadeky, Ayoub al-Hamadiy et al., introduce an acoustic-based technique

for real-time soil moisture measurement, relating the speed of sound to soil saturation
levels. This method, developed to address soil moisture monitoring needs, observed a
decrease in sound speed corresponding to increased moisture content, varying
depending on soil type.

Statement Of The Problem

The primary objective of this research is to develop and evaluate a Solared-
Power Automatic Plant Watering System Integrated with Rain Catcher.

Consequently, this sought to answer the following questions:

1. How can the Solared-Power Automatic Plant Watering System be described in

terms of:
1.1 Integration with Arduino technology
1.2 Mechanism for solar power utilization
1.3 Functionality of the rain catcher feature

2. How a solared power automatic plant watering system integrated with rain catcher
will benefit for the right growth of plants?

Theoretical Framework
Systems Theory, pioneered by biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy in the mid-
20th century, offers a holistic framework for understanding complex systems by
examining their interrelated components and interactions. It views systems as entities
greater than the sum of their parts, emphasizing the interconnectedness and feedback
loops within them.
At its core, Systems Theory proposes that systems can be analyzed based on
their structure, behavior, and function. It identifies various types of systems, from
simple to complex, and explores concepts such as emergence, homeostasis, and
adaptation. Systems are seen as open, dynamic entities that exchange energy, matter,
and information with their environment. Feedback mechanisms, both positive and
negative, play a crucial role in maintaining system stability or driving change.
Moreover, Systems Theory highlights the importance of considering the context and
boundaries of a system when analyzing its behavior and outcomes.
Systems Theory provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the
functionality and effectiveness of the automated watering system. The project can be
viewed as a complex system comprising various components such as the solar panels,
Arduino microcontroller, water pump, sensors, and the surrounding environment. By
applying Systems Theory, researchers can analyze how these components interact and
influence each other to achieve the system’s primary goal: maintaining optimal soil
moisture levels for plant growth while conserving water resources. Furthermore,
Systems Theory facilitates the identification of potential feedback loops and system
dynamics, allowing for the optimization of the design and operation of the automated
watering system. Overall, Systems Theory offers valuable insights into the
interconnected nature of the components involved in the study, enhancing our
understanding of its functionality and implications.

Conceptual Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Solar energy Arduino Controled Watering

Soil Moisture
Sensor

Significance Of The Study

The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a Solared-Power
Automatic Plant Watering System Integrated with Rain Catcher.

This research is conducted to benefit the following entities:

GARDENERS. This study will help the gardeners on how to make an automated
plant watering to lessen the household chores.
STUDENTS. This study may serve as guide and reference for the students who
undertaking similar studies.

FUTURE RESEARCHERS. This research will be a useful reference for the

researchers who would plan to make any related study precisely the standard
underlying the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Electronics
Engineering and even in the Agriculture program.
Objectives Of The Study
The primary objective of this research is to develop and evaluate a Solared-
Power Automatic Plant Watering System Integrated with Rain Catcher. To determine
if a solar-powered automated plant watering system will effectively regulate soil
moisture levels and provide sufficient water to plants, leading to improved plant
health and growth, while minimizing the need for manual intervention.

Materials And Method

Based on our problem statement, we have created a prototype to implement a
automatic plant watering system considering all aspects of small gardens to large crop
fields. The main components of the project are Arduino UNO, soil moisture sensor
and water pump. Using ARDUINO IDE software we can program ARDUINO in such
that it irrigates the plants based on the feedback of moisture content provided by the
soil moisture sensor. When moisture content is lower than a prescribed limit, water
pump starts irrigating. We can use sprinkler or drip system for irrigation. When
moisture content reaches the maximum limit, the water pump automatically switches
off (Mayuree et al. 2019).

ARDUINO UNO
 Arduino is a user-friendly open-source platform with customizable hardware
and software. It utilizes a Microchip Atmega328P microcontroller and offers 14
digital pins, 6 analog pins, and a reset pin. Programming is done through the Arduino
IDE using a type B USB cable. The board will be programmed to monitor soil
moisture and water tank levels, providing users with notifications based on the

readings.
Figure 1: ARDUINO UNO
SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR
This sensor (in Figure 2) measures the soil water content using few properties
of the soil, such as dielectric constant, electrical resistance, or interaction with
neutrons. As a substitute for the moisture content. The two probes allow current to
pass through the soil through which it evaluates the resistance value and thus
concludes to the moisture value. Wet soil is a good conductor of electricity. i.e., less
resistance. Thus, high moisture level is detected. Dry soil is a bad conductor of
electricity, i.e., more resistance, i.e., the moisture level will be low.
 Figure 2: SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR

MINI WATER PUMP

This mini water pump utilizes various properties of water, such as flow rate
and pressure, to efficiently transfer water from one location to another. It is equipped
with a compact design and operates using electricity. The pump’s mechanism
involves drawing water through an inlet and expelling it through an outlet, providing a
reliable means of water movement for small-scale applications. By assessing factors
like flow rate and pressure, the pump ensures effective water transfer, making it ideal
for use in tasks such as circulating water in aquariums, powering water features, or
supporting hydroponic systems.

Figure 3: MINI WATER PUMP

SOLAR PANEL
This solar panel harnesses the energy of sunlight to generate electricity for
various applications. Through photovoltaic cells, it converts sunlight into electrical
energy using the photovoltaic effect. The panel’s design incorporates multiple solar
cells arranged in a grid-like pattern, maximizing sunlight absorption and energy
production. When exposed to sunlight, the cells generate a direct current (DC), which
can be converted into alternating current (AC) using an inverter for use in household
appliances or other electrical devices. The efficiency of the solar panel depends on
factors such as sunlight intensity, angle of incidence, and panel orientation.

Figure 4: SOLAR PANEL

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