AN ECONOMICAL BATTERY- COUPLED SOLAR WATER PUMP USING

HIGROW SENSOR MODULE

1
Mudadla Poornima, 1 Erothi Harshini, 1 Yalla Meghana krishna sai, 1 Nammi Bhanu Sree,
1
Tummapala Chinmai sai sri ,2B.T.Rama Krishna Rao
2
Associate Professor, 1,2 Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Vignan’s Institute
of Engineering for Women, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh-49, India.

ABSTRACT

Water scarcity and rising energy costs represents a significant challenge to modern agriculture. This project
presents an innovative, cost-effective, and eco-friendly solution designed to address the challenges of water
scarcity and increasing energy expenses. An economical battery-coupled solar water pump using HiGrow
sensor module provides a water pumping system that uses solar energy to pump water from a water source
and detects the atmospheric temperature, soil moisture and humidity. This system consists of solar panel,
solar charge controller, Buck Converter, DC motor, relay module, water pump, battery and HiGrow sensor
module. This system utilizes solar energy to power the water pump coupled with a battery storage system
to ensure continuous operation even during periods of low sunlight. The HiGrow sensor module enables
continuous monitoring and collection of environmental data by incorporating temperature, humidity, and
soil moisture sensors. These sensors work in tandem with an ESP32 microcontroller to gather real-time
data, which is then transmitted and displayed on the ThingSpeak website by using Arduino IDE software
and C++ Programming language. Based on the real-time data received from the HiGrow sensor, the motor
is automatically operated to ensure optimal irrigation practices and ultimately advancing a sustainable
agriculture through the integration of renewable energy and smart sensor technologies.
Keywords: Solar power, HiGrow sensor module, Battery storage system, Microcontroller.

INTRODUCTION

An economical battery-coupled solar water pump using HiGrow sensor module is a system designed to
address the challenges faced by farmers in India, where agriculture is still the primary source of income, and
power supply and demand gaps exist. This system aims to automate irrigation, reduce manual labor, and utilize
renewable energy sources, thereby promoting sustainable farming practices and reducing air pollution caused
by fossil fuels. The HiGrow sensor module is used to monitor soil moisture, temperature, and other
environmental factors, enabling the system to optimize water usage and conserve energy. The solar water
pump is powered by renewable solar energy, and the battery ensures continuous operation during periods of
low sunlight or at night. This setup reduces the reliance on fossil fuels and minimizes environmental impact
while providing a reliable and cost-effective solution for farmers. By adopting this technology, farmers can
benefit from water conservation, energy efficiency, reduced labor costs, increased crop yield, and reduced
greenhouse gas emissions. The government can promote the adoption of this technology by providing
incentives, creating awareness, and establishing a supportive policy framework. It is the most eco-friendly
and user-friendly system as the soil conditions can be monitored by this sensor which further can also be
viewed in the smart phone of the user by ThingSpeak. This process is introduced for knowing the accurate
conditions of the soil as it helps with the cultivation of crops.
LITERATURE SURVEY

S. Bipasha Biswas et.al.,[1] designed and demonstrated an automated solar water pumping system for
irrigation in Bangladesh. This system uses a water storage tank as a source and a ESP32 Microcontroller for
cost-effectiveness and remote operation. The system meets the irrigation needs of developing countries by
combining sensors, internet communication, and user-friendly controls.

Shahidul I Khan et.al.,[2] developed and tested a low-cost solar water pump for irrigation in Bangladesh. This
system employs an automated solar water pumping system that includes a low-cost 1 hp (746 W) DC
photovoltaic pump for irrigation. A buck converter is designed to enhance pump performance. This system
uses no batteries or inverters, making it cost-effective and low-maintenance, addressing energy crises during
the irrigation season in Bangladesh.

Prakhar Kumar Singh et.al., [3] developed a Microcontroller based water pumping system by using stand
alone solar energy. This system, which uses solar photovoltaic (PV) energy as its primary source, provides a
cost-effective watering option. The inclusion of a battery in the design enhances its economic viability. This
study significantly contributes to the field of solar-powered water pumping systems by achieving cost
efficiency and addressing the needs of field irrigation.

A. Agrawal et.al., [4] designed and demonstrated a cost-effective and solar-based automatic irrigation system
using a microcontroller This system employs soil moisture sensors that trigger the motor to turn the irrigating
pump on or off, thereby optimizing water utilization for farmers. By harnessing solar energy and integrating
moisture sensing technology, this innovative system effectively addresses water scarcity challenges in
agriculture. This design not only offers a sustainable solution for agricultural practices but also promotes
efficient water usage, contributing significantly to the field of smart irrigation systems.

J. Gutiérrez et.al., [5] have designed an innovative Automated Irrigation System using a Wireless Sensor
Network and GPRS Module. This system features a distributed wireless network of soil-moisture and
temperature sensors, which are strategically placed in the root zone of plants. A microcontroller-based
gateway controls water quantity based on threshold values, resulting in up to 90% water savings compared to
traditional irrigation practices.

H. Meena et.al., [6] have designed an IoT-based perceptive monitoring and controlling system for an
automated irrigation system. Their innovative approach features an Arduino-based smart irrigation system
that efficiently monitors and controls water resources. The system sends motor ON/OFF commands through
microcontroller-driven updates, keeping users informed about the field status.
By leveraging IoT technology, this system optimizes water usage, making it a valuable contribution to
sustainable agriculture and water management.

P. Jain et.al., [7] created and presented an irrigation management system using a microcontroller application.
The paper presents an optimal irrigation strategy for crop-specific irrigation operations that makes use of
automatic water control. This device uses microcontroller technology to improve modern agriculture
techniques and ensure effective water consumption.
EXISTING SYSTEM
A smart solar water pumping system with bidirectional power flow typically consists of a solar photovoltaic
(PV) array, a water pump, a power converter, and a control system. The solar PV array converts sunlight into
electrical energy, which is then used to power the water pump. The power converter is used to convert the DC
power generated by the solar PV array into AC power required by the water pump. The control system
manages the power flow between the solar PV array, the power converter, and the water pump. In a
bidirectional power flow system, the power can flow in both directions. This means that when the solar PV
array generates more power than what is required by the water pump, the excess power can be fed back into
the grid. Conversely, when the solar PV array is not generating enough power (such as during cloudy weather
or at night), power can be drawn from the grid to meet the water pump's requirements. The control system
plays a crucial role in managing the power flow and ensuring the efficient operation of the system. It uses
various sensors and algorithms to monitor the power generated by the solar PV array, the power consumed by
the water pump, and the power available from the grid. Based on this information, it adjusts the power
converter's operation to ensure that the water pump receives the required power while minimizing energy
wastage. Some advanced smart solar water pumping systems also incorporate energy storage devices such as
batteries. These devices can store excess power generated by the solar PV array and supply it to the water
pump when the solar PV array is not generating enough power. This further enhances the system's efficiency
and reliability. Overall, a smart solar water pumping system with bidirectional power flow offers a sustainable
and efficient solution for water pumping applications. It can help reduce energy costs, minimize greenhouse
gas emissions, and ensure a reliable water supply even in remote and off-grid location.

Fig-1: Solar powered surface water pump

 Fig-2: Electrical block diagram for proposed model

PROPOSED METHOD

The proposed control system is based on the ESP32 microcontroller device and battery storage which helps
to store the excess energy generated during sunny hours and provide power during cloudy days or at night
when solar panels are inactive. The solar energy behaves as a primary energy source, whereas battery is used
as a backup source. We present a detailed control system of an automatic solar water pumping system for
irrigation. A simple and quite low-cost modern ESP32 controlled irrigation system is presented here which is
affordable for farmers in developing countries. The proposed system can improve the traditional irrigation
system by lowering its cost and has features compatible with current technology. A microcontroller can
receive the data collected from the HiGrow sensor module, which can be used to track the moisture content
of the soil. The microcontroller has the ability to turn on the solar water pump to irrigate the field based on
the moisture content. A battery that can be charged by solar panels may power the solar water pump. For plant
monitoring, the HiGrow sensor module serves as a comprehensive development board. A DHT11 sensor that
measures humidity and temperature is also present on the board. The temperature and moisture content of the
soil can be tracked with these sensors. The moisture levels can be used to command the microcontroller to
turn on the solar water pump. For example, the microcontroller can turn on the pump to water the field if the
moisture content drops below a predetermined level. Additionally, the microcontroller can keep an eye on the
battery's levels to make sure it isn't overcharged or over discharged. A DC motor and a water pump can be
used to build the solar water pump. Water can be pumped from a source to the field using the water pump,
which is driven by the battery in the DC motor. Throughout the day, the battery can be charged using the solar
panels. The HiGrow sensor module, ThingSpeak, and Arduino IDE software are integrated into a suggested
battery-coupled solar water pump system that provides a creative way to manage water effectively in
residential or agricultural contexts. In order to provide a steady source of power, the system would use solar
panels to capture renewable energy and charge a battery. The HiGrow sensor module would keep an eye on
important environmental factors including temperature, humidity, and soil moisture content to guarantee ideal
circumstances for plant development and economical water use. The sensor data would be gathered, examined,
and sent to the ThingSpeak platform for real-time tracking and analysis using the Arduino IDE software. This
integration improves the overall efficacy and dependability of the system by enabling users to remotely
monitor the water pump's operation, change settings as necessary, and receive warnings for any abnormalities.
Finally, the suggested approach seeks to maximize water conservation efforts while encouraging sustainable
agricultural practices.

THE DESIGN STRUCTURE

An Economical battery-coupled solar water pump using HiGrow sensor module is a system that utilizes solar
energy to power a water pump and detect environmental data. The system consists of a solar panel, solar charge
controller, Buck Converter, DC motor, relay module, water pump, battery, and HiGrow sensor module. The
HiGrow sensor module acts as a brain of the system. This sensor controls the circuit function and various
components are interfaced with this sensor to perform desired operation of the system. solar panels harvest
sunlight and transform it into electrical energy, while the solar charge controller manages battery charging by
linking them to the panels. Rechargeable batteries store solar energy generated during the day, serves as a power
source for the entire system, including the microcontroller and water pump and enable operation even during
low sunlight or at night. The Buck Converter steps down the voltage from the battery to a level suitable for the
HiGrow sensor. HiGrow sensor module is placed in the soil of the plant pot to monitor the parameters such as
soil moisture, temperature, and humidity. The sensor module communicates with the microcontroller to provide
data on the plant condition. The system utilizes a relay module controlled by the microcontroller, which activates
based on sensor readings to turn the water pump ON or OFF as needed and effectively ensuring water is supplied
to the plants only when it is necessary, thereby optimizing water usage and conserving energy.

Fig-3: Block Diagram of a battery-coupled solar water pump using HiGrow sensor module
RESULT ANALYSIS

Fig-4: Experimental setup Fig-5: ThingSpeak Output

Parameters Dry soil Wet soil

Soil 350 117 600
Moisture 400

Temperature 38 37 200
0
Humidity 37 35 dry wet
soil moisture temperature humidity

Table-1: Soil moisture, Humidity and Temperature Fig-6: Soil moisture, Humidity and Temperature
using HiGrow sensor using HiGrow sensor

Dry soil condition wet soil condition

600 300

400 200

200 100

0 0
soil moisture temperature humidity soil moisture temperature humidity

By using Higrow sensor By using Higrow sensor

without using HiGrow sensor without using HiGrow sensor

Fig-7: Soil moisture, Humidity and Temperature Fig-8: Soil moisture, Humidity and Temperature
with and without HiGrow sensor in dry soil with and without HiGrow sensor in wet soil
CONCLUSION

In this paper design and analysis of "An Economical Battery-coupled Solar Water Pump using HiGrow Sensor
Module" has demonstrated the potential of integrating renewable energy sources, battery storage, and
automation technology to create a sustainable and cost-effective water pump system for agricultural use. The
system's reliance on solar energy and battery storage reduces dependence on traditional power sources, leading
to lower operational costs and promoting sustainable farming practices. The HiGrow sensor module has
proven to be an effective tool for optimizing water usage by automatically detecting soil moisture levels and
triggering the water pump when necessary. This automation not only ensures optimal water supply to plants
but also reduces water waste, contributing to efficient water management.

REFERENCES

[1]. S. Bipasha Biswas and M. Tariq Iqbal, "Solar Water Pumping System Control Using a Low Cost
ESP32 Microcontroller”,2018 IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical & Computer Engineering
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[2]. Shahidul I Khan, Md. Mizanur R. Sarkar, and Md. Quamrul Islam, “Design and analysis of a low-
cost solar water pump for irrigation in Bangladesh”, Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Vol ME 43,
NO. 2, December 2013
[3]. Prakhar Kumar Singh; Omveer Singh; Shivam Pandey, “Micro-Controller based Water Pumping
System using Solar Energy”, 2018 5th IEEE Uttar Pradesh Section International Conference on
Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering (UPCON), Gorakhpur, India, November 2018.
[4]. A. Agrawal, V. Kamboj, R. Gupta, M. Pandey, V. Kumar Tayal and H. P. Singh, "Microcontroller
Based Irrigation System Solar Powered Using Moisture Sensing Technology," 2018 8th International
Conference on Cloud Computing, Data Science & Engineering (Confluence), Noida, India, 2018, pp.
324-327, doi: 10.1109/CONFLUENCE.2018.8442551
[5]. J. Gutiérrez, J. F. Villa-Medina, A. Nieto-Garibay and M. A. Porta-Gandara, "Automated Irrigation
System Using a Wireless Sensor Network and GPRS Module," in IEEE Transactions on
Instrumentation and Measurement, vol. 63, no. 1, pp. 166-176, Jan. 2014, doi:
10.1109/TIM.2013.2276487.
[6]. H. Meena, H. Nandanwar, D. Pahl and A. Chauhan, "IoT based perceptive monitoring and controlling
an automated irrigation system," 2020 11th International Conference on Computing, Communication
and Networking Technologies (ICCCNT), Kharagpur, India, 2020, pp. 1-6, doi:
10.1109/ICCCNT49239.2020.9225455.
[7]. P. Jain, P. Kumar and D. K. Palwalia, "Irrigation management system with micro-controller
application," 2017 1st International Conference on Electronics, Materials Engineering and Nano-
Technology (IEMENTech), Kolkata, India, 2017, pp. 1-6, doi: 10.1109/IEMENTECH.2017.8076969.