Since the beginning of the 21st century, the demand for sustainable agricultural practices has significantly increased to meet the growing food requirements while minimizing environmental impact. Our project aims to develop an automated greenhouse powered by perovskite solar cells, which provide the necessary energy for various operations, including LED lighting, fans, watering systems, and air conditioning. This aligns with the global push to integrate renewable energy into agricultural technologies to promote sustainability and energy efficiency. Perovskite solar cells were chosen for their high efficiency, low cost, and versatility under different lighting conditions, making them ideal for greenhouse applications. By harnessing solar energy, we can significantly reduce operational costs and the carbon footprint associated with traditional energy sources.
The greenhouse automation system is based on the Raspberry Pi platform, controlling LED lighting, watering systems, and air conditioning units. This system allows for remote data collection and monitoring, enabling users to optimize the greenhouse environment for various crops. Data collected includes temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and light intensity, which are crucial for maintaining optimal growing conditions. The greenhouse's energy management system uses perovskite solar cells to store energy in batteries, ensuring a stable power supply even in low sunlight conditions. This energy is then distributed to the various components of the greenhouse as needed. The project aims to use perovskite solar cells to power the greenhouse, reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources; implement a Raspberry Pi-based control system to efficiently manage greenhouse operations; collect and analyze environmental data to optimize growing conditions and increase crop yields; and develop an open-source greenhouse model named Greenlight to promote knowledge sharing and sustainable greenhouse technology.
The project aims to create a proof-of-concept automated greenhouse, demonstrating the feasibility and advantages of using perovskite solar cells in agricultural applications. The Greenlight model will serve as a valuable reference for large-scale implementation of automated, energy-efficient greenhouses. By leveraging renewable energy and automation systems, this project contributes to broader goals of energy conservation, emission reduction, and sustainable agriculture. The success of this project could lead to broader applications of similar technologies in various agricultural environments, including urban farming, vertical farming, and remote farming locations. The principles and technologies developed in this project can also be adapted for other controlled environment agriculture systems, such as hydroponics and aquaponics, further promoting sustainable and efficient food production practices. This project exemplifies how integrating renewable energy technologies with smart automation systems can revolutionize agricultural practices, paving the way for a more sustainable and food-secure future.
