Construction and Performance Analysis of a Solar-Powered Automatic Soil Moisture Control System for Garden Applications

Abstract

Efficient water management is a critical requirement in modern agriculture, especially in regions facing water scarcity and unreliable power supply. This project presents a solar powered automatic soil moisture maintenance system designed to control irrigation for multiple agricultural fields independently. The system utilizes a solar panel with a charge controller and rechargeable battery to ensure continuous and eco-friendly operation without reliance on grid electricity. Three soil moisture sensors are deployed across three separate fields to continuously monitor soil water content. Each field is assigned a predefined moisture threshold of 70% respectively. A microcontroller processes the sensor data and activates the corresponding solenoid valve when the moisture level falls below the specified threshold. Once the required moisture level is achieved, the valve is automatically deactivated, preventing over irrigation and water wastage. The proposed system operates autonomously, reduces manual labor, optimizes water usage, and supports sustainable agricultural practices. Its modular and scalable design makes it suitable for gardens, greenhouses, and agricultural fields, particularly in remote areas where conventional power sources are unavailable.