IoT-Based Hydroponic System for Leaf and Fruit Based Cultivation Powered by HOMER-Optimized Renewable Energy Sources

Abstract

The study demonstrates an IoT-based automated hydroponic farming system that monitors and regulates critical growth parameters with high precision. The system constantly tests the pH, TDS, and temperature to provide the optimal nutrient environment within which a plant can grow. With the help of the Blynk IoT platform, the visualization of the data can be received in real time. Telegram notifies the user every six hours with overall data at this point and alerts in the case of values not matching the thresholds, thus providing the opportunity to monitor the situation dynamically from anywhere. The IoT architecture is supplied with a simulated hybrid renewable system that includes the use of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, a helical vertical-axis wind turbine, and battery storage to maintain a constant off-grid power supply by using HOMER software. The system is envisioned to be placed between the highway dividers with a special focus on making it capture a bi-directional wind flow whenever a vehicle passes by, whereas the PV array provides power during the day hours. The HOMER simulation justified that it would be possible to operate 20-28 hydroponic units under the proposed simulated hybrid configuration. In 21 days, the IoT-based system could monitor TDS levels between 800 and 1200 ppm and pH values between 5.5 and 7 and ensured a stable and healthy growth of plants. The findings confirm the potential for achieving scalable, autonomous, and sustainable agricultural production through smart farming that utilizes IoT technology supported by renewable energy.