Solar-powered robotic irrigation systems for agricultural crops: analysis and economic efficiency

Abstract

Climate change and the increasing frequency of droughts are heightening the relevance of employing irrigation systems, a practice simultaneously constrained by the growing scarcity of freshwater resources. Common sprinkler systems, in their current form, perform virtually no other functions, despite their potential to provide a structural framework and energy source for various precision agriculture technologies, such as machine vision systems and manipulators. This article reviews contemporary methods of crop irrigation, including both traditional and automated systems used in agriculture. The advantages of utilizing robotic systems powered by renewable energy sources for irrigation and the execution of associated agrotechnical operations are analyzed. An overview of existing robotic solutions, their design features, and areas of application is provided. The authors propose an original concept for a robotic irrigation system powered by solar panels, detailing its design, operating principle, and key advantages compared to existing analogues. A calculation of the proposed solution's economic efficiency is performed, including an assessment of reduced costs for grid electricity and fuel resulting from the elimination of diesel generators. The obtained results confirm the feasibility of implementing multifunctional, solar-powered robotic systems within the context of modern agriculture.