Arduino Yun Assisted Photovoltaic-Powered Hydroponics Systems for Rural Communities in Ghana

Weather alteration in most part of the world especially in some African countries has affected rural farming communities adversely. The persistent droughts and unpredictable rain patterns in Ghana have rendered many rural communities with little or no water for daily needs. Hydroponic technology has been the toast of few peasants in Ghana very recently, however, drawing water from deep wells to irrigate their plants also poses challenges for them. We propose a design and construct PV powered water pumping system using Arduino Yun microcontroller technology for providing electricity at an affordable rate to the hydroponic system for the peasants in the rural communities. Farmers can use hydroponic and use a workable and practically oriented designs with moisture sensor which will determine as and when the water pumping motor starts or stops the irrigation process. We demonstrated PV water pumping system is no longer at experimental and prototype stage but an implementation stage. We will further set onward plans that the system is undoubtedly developed at a cheaper rate. Presently, Ghana is faced with an energy deficiency and not only erratic electricity cuts but we also see an astronomical increase and intolerable tariffs. To make it more convenient and affordable to the rural communities, the hydroponic design we propose has made simpler the rural farming using mechanisms obtainable in Ghana.