A Hydroponics System Using a Solar Pump for Recirculating Nutrient Solution
Keywords:
Solar pump, Instantaneous efficiency, daily efficiency, Solar cell, HydroponicsAbstract
This research aimed to develop and test a hydroponics system using a solar pump for recirculating nutrient solution. Flowering cabbage (Brassica chinensis Jusl var. parachinensis (Bailey)) was a target plant. Two types of planting materials (sponge cube and luffa fiber) were tested. Plant growth rate in terms of height and weight were recorded every week for three weeks and at the third week, respectively. A 40 W PV panel connecting to a circulating pump was used to circulate the nutrient solution. Observation of the plant growth showed that planting materials had strong influences on the height and the weight of plants. Performance tests of the PV panel revealed that instantaneous efficiencies were in the ranges of 8.42 – 10.19 % and the daily efficiency was found to be 9.13 % when the daily global solar irradiation was ranging on 680 – 923 W/m2.
References
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