Automated Solar-Powered Aeroponics Structure for Plant Cultivation and

Monitoring
Arciso, Atong, Esperat, Estolonio, Llido, Palacio

1. INTRODUCTION
The agricultural sector in the Philippines started to grow in the 1960s and 1970s,
however, it also showed inconsistencies throughout the following years. As a result, the
sector only produced 9% of the country’s gross domestic product (Gohlan and Kohli,
2013). One main reason for this phenomenon was low agricultural productivity, hence,
based on a study by the World Bank (2007), a critical role for the government is to
invest in research and development. A potential solution to some of these issues in the
production of lettuce is to permit protected cultivation using inexpensive protective
structures.This investment would be beneficial as trialing this cultivation technique in
tropical climates, policymakers and growers alike can become more aware of the
potential of technology to improve the quality and yield of vegetables grown in
challenging conditions, such as the type IV rainfall pattern found in the humid tropics.
Therefore, in this context, utilizing the growing significance of automated aeroponic
systems lies in their cultivation method designed to enhance production, minimize
resource usage, and provide an alternative approach (Lakhiar et al. 2018).

Aeroponics, a revolutionary method of suspending plants in the air without soil or

any other medium (Kasturi & Rao, 2012), offers a compelling solution for the future of
agriculture. By eliminating the need for soil, it thrives in limited spaces, making it ideal
for urban vertical farms and reducing the environmental impact of food transportation
(Amankwaa-Yeboah et al., 2022). Furthermore, aeroponically grown plants often exhibit
enhanced vegetative growth compared to traditional methods, with even extended
growth cycles for certain crops (Ritter et al., 2001). Previous studies extensively focused
on the execution of an automated aeroponic cultivation system for green leaf plants in
which it controlled the parameters of humidity, temperature, and irrigation time by
utilizing a mist spray of nutrients under the roots of a specified plant (Lucero et al.,
2021). In another study, a microSD memory holds the data that the system provides,
and an Internet web server and Bluetooth can access it in real time (Montoya et al.,
2017). Another feature that was integrated in Aeroponics systems is data analytics.
Based on a study by Garzon (2023), to optimize the aeroponic systems and increase
yields, farmers can use data analytics to analyze large amounts of data on plant growth,
weather patterns, and nutrient levels to accurately predict the ideal conditions for plant
growth. However, other systems have shown flaws and inconsistencies with the creation
of their automated systems, such as in Sihombing et al. (2018), who recently built a
hydroponic greenhouse system with success, however this system's drawback is that it
can only measure the temperature and water level of the nutrient solution. In another
study, Belhekar et al. (2018) and Jaimes et al. (2019) established a system that
measures water level, pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, and relative humidity.
Farmers received alerts about the imbalance of nutrients in the system after the data
was uploaded to a database. The system's only function is to monitor the hydroponic
environment. Consequently, the farmer has to control events because the system lacks
the presence of actuators.

In the Philippines, there is a lack of innovative technology that improves

agricultural productivity by harnessing fewer ingredients, consumption of fertilizers and
nutrients, irrigation of water, and having the entire growth process in a confined and
regulated environment (Al-Naamani, 2019). Previous studies only focused on
monitoring the temperature and water level of a specified plant. However, it may cause
an insufficiency of the data to provide adequate nutrients required for plant growth.
Early studies also utilize the data of a plant to receive alerts and, afterward, conduct
manual action to manage the system. In this context, this study will design and develop
an automated solar-powered aeroponics structure for cultivation and monitoring of Bok
Choy. Moreover, the system will determine the temperature, humidity, light intensity, pH
level, and water level to maintain the required parameters for optimal growth of a plant
(Shamshiri, 2017).

Specifically, this study aims to (1) design an automated solar-powered

aeroponics structure for plant cultivation and monitoring; (2) develop a program logic for
the prototype; (3) test the functionality of the system in terms of the parameters pH
level, humidity, temperature and light intensity; and (4) evaluate the level of acceptability
of the automated aeroponics system.

This project contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable

Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by developing a
system that facilitates capacity building in science and technology within developing
nations. This system serves as a catalyst for their transition towards environmentally
sustainable production and consumption patterns. Farmers utilizing this technology can
readily optimize resources and tailor interventions based on real-time environmental
data. Future advancements in smart farming, including automation, AI-powered decision
support, and even integration with robotics, hold immense promise for further
revolutionizing agriculture (Sáiz-Rubio & Rovira-Más, 2020).

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Materials

The electrical components that will be used in the study are the ESP32
microcontroller, LCD screen, temperature and humidity sensor, pH, photoresistor, water
level sensor, L298N motor driver, relay, case fan, 12V water pump, solar panel, charge
controller, and 35V battery. This aeroponics structure will use 3 spray nozzles
connecting to the water pump inside the container. The structural materials include one
large and small-sized storage box container. The smaller-sized storage box will be used
as a plant support structure where the spray nozzles are attached underneath. The
control panel, with all electronic devices for system operation and communication
module, will be installed closest to the growing chamber, including the sensors for
monitoring. The components of the structure have well-defined roles, which are
necessary for a sustainable and efficient operation that follows the proposed diagrams.

2.2 Research Design

The Research and Development (R&D) design will consist of four phases:
design, development, testing, and evaluation, each corresponding to the study
objectives. The design phase includes planning for the electrical components, structural
materials, and layout of the automated solar-powered aeroponics structure. The
development phase is for the program logic for the prototype, which is the software
component of the system that will control the sensors, water pump, ventilation, and
monitoring system. This phase will include the prototype assembly. The testing phase
involves the functionality testing of the system in terms of the pH level, humidity,
temperature, and light intensity. The researchers will collect and record the data from
the system record and compare it with the optimal values for plant growth. Lastly, the
evaluation phase will include surveying the level of acceptability with potential users or
field experts. The calculated results will be used to assess the strengths and
weaknesses of the automated solar-powered aeroponics structure.

2.3 Procedure

2.3.1 Prototype Modelling

The researchers have improved the most recent designs by adding a water level
sensor for the reservoir, an automated drainage and delivery line, photoreceptors, and
an automated fan to help regulate the temperature. The researchers will use a container
that is approximately 72.3 cm in length, 52 cm in width, and 44 cm in height for the main
structure and a separate container that is approximately 44 cm in length, 13 cm in width,
and 31 cm in height for the growing chamber. The temperature and humidity sensor,
photoresistor, pH sensor, and nozzles will be placed inside the growing chamber. The
nozzles will be connected to the water pump via the delivery line pipe in the growing
chamber, which will have a drainage pipe connecting to the exterior of the main
structure. The water level sensor will be placed on the reservoir, and the fan will be
attached to the upper portion of the structure.

Figure 1. Block Diagram of the Components

Figure 2. Prototype design for automated aeroponics structure

2.3.2 Prototype Programming and Coding

.The study will use a chuchu program to chuchuchuchuchu with a chuchuc code
for the temperature and humidity sensor to send an alert and signal the fan if the
temperature in the chamber falls greater or less than the recommended temperature
range, chuchu code for the photoresistor sensor too send an alert to inform the user
about the light intensity in the growing chamber, chuchu code for the pH sensor to send
an alert and start irrigation if the pH in the chamber falls greater or less than the
recommended pH range , and chuchu code for the water level sensor to detect the
amount of water in the reservoir.
 Figure 3. System Flow of the Prototype

2.3.3 Building Prototype

The ESP32 microcontroller is connected to the power source, which is the solar
panel and a 35V battery. The water level sensor and pH level sensor, which have three
pinouts each, are connected to the ESP32 via male-to-male jumper wires on the
breadboard. The photoresistor, LCD screen, and temperature and humidity sensor,
which have four pinouts, are also connected similarly to the microcontroller. The
temperature and humidity sensor and photoresistor are placed inside the growing
chamber. The case fan is connected to the temperature sensor. The water pump
delivers water to the nozzles attached to the delivery pipes within the growing chamber.
The excess water is drained through the drainage pipe to the outside of the structure.
 Figure 4. Schematic diagram

2.3.4 Prototype Testing

The system will be calibrated according to the optimal pH (5.5 to 6.5),
temperature (20°C to 34°C), and humidity (50% to 70%) ranges. As the system is
powered on, if the variables fall below or greater than the optimal ranges, the sensor will
be adjusted. This process is repeated until the optimal ranges are achieved.
Additionally, the functionality of other components such as the cooling fan, water pump,
and nozzles will be monitored. The researchers will collect data from the temperature,
humidity, pH level, and light intensity sensors attached to the growing chamber for a set
period.

2.3.5 Prototype Evaluation

Evaluating the prototype involves measuring the acceptability among potential
users or experts in the field. The study will utilize a 5-point Likert scale survey
questionnaire adopted from the study of Avila, et. al. (2023). The questionnaire has five
sections, namely, functionality, durability, efficiency, cost, and safety, having 26
questions in total. The results will be analyzed and interpreted to identify the strengths
and weaknesses of the prototype and to suggest possible improvements.

2.4. Statistical Analysis

The data collected from both the functionality and acceptability tests will be
subjected to thorough statistical analysis to determine whether it is an efficient operating
system that is acceptable to professionals in that field. For the third objective, the data
obtained from the sensors in the system will undergo a t-test analysis to evaluate its
functionality and accuracy. According to Qualtrics (2022), this statistical method
quantitatively assesses deviations of observed data from expected values, providing
insights into the system's effectiveness and accuracy in meeting specified parameters,
such as pH level, humidity, temperature, and light intensity. For the fourth objective, the
data collected from the adopted project evaluation questionnaire of Avila, et. al. (2023)
will be calculated to evaluate its acceptance among field practitioners. To draw
significant conclusions, the weighted mean will be analyzed using a table of
interpretation. These results will not only confirm that the system works as planned but
also ensure it is in line with user expectations and industry norms, leading to successful
adoption and usability.

Table 1. Interpretation for Levels of Acceptability and Adaptability (Avila, et. al, 2023)

2.5. Ethical Consideration

Careful ethical considerations must be considered at every stage when
developing an automated solar-powered aeroponics structure for plant cultivation and
monitoring. Approval for the conduct of this project must align with the principles of
sustainability, equitable access, and humane treatment. The top priority is minimizing
environmental impact by incorporating sustainable practices such as energy efficiency
and resource conservation in the design process to prevent any harmful effects on
ecosystems. It's equally essential to ensure that all communities have fair access to this
technology, particularly those underserved populations, so socioeconomic disparities
are not widened further. Lastly, maintaining humane treatment of plants within the
system is highly crucial, thus calling for policies prioritizing their well-being through
sound cultivation methods emphasizing ethics above everything else.