Plant cultivation system

Abstract

To provide a plant cultivation system which allows farm machines such as a work vehicle to be placed therein and can cultivate plants while photovoltaic power generation panels can be arranged as many as possible by effectively utilizing land.SOLUTION: A plant cultivation system comprises: a plurality of photovoltaic power generation panels 1 which cover a farmland for cultivating plants like a roof; a plurality of driving parts 6 which are capable of changing a direction of each of a plurality of photovoltaic power generation panels 1; a plurality of illuminating parts 4 which are provided on a rear face of each of the plurality of photovoltaic power generation panels 1; and a control part 7 for controlling the movement of each of the plurality of driving parts 6. The plurality of illuminating parts 4 emit light by using electric power generated by the plurality of photovoltaic power generation panels 1 and illuminate plants with light, so that plants can be cultivated even under the photovoltaic power generation panels 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plant cultivation system that enables plants to be cultivated under a solar power generation panel.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when cultivating plants under a solar panel, as in so-called solar sharing, the panels are spaced apart so that light shines on the plants below, or a light source is attached to the back of the panel so that the plants receive light.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Patent Document 6

Patent Document 7

Patent Document 8

Patent Document 9

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, if the panels are spaced apart so that light shines downward, the number of panels decreases with respect to the land area, and the power generation efficiency with respect to the land area decreases. Furthermore, if the panels are fixed and a light source behind the panels is used to illuminate the plants underneath, it becomes difficult to bring agricultural machinery such as work vehicles into the field because the panels are fixed.

[0005] Conventionally, the creation of artificial cultivation environments was limited to greenhouse cultivation or plant factories, but the types of plants that could be grown in greenhouse cultivation or plant factories were limited, making it difficult to grow land-use crops.

[0006] To provide a plant cultivation system that uses land efficiently, arranges solar power generation panels as much as possible, allows farm equipment such as work vehicles to be brought in, and enables plants to be cultivated.

[0007] Patent Documents 1 to 4 describe inventions relating to attaching rain gutters to solar panels, but the solar panels are not movable. In Patent Document 2, lighting (22) (the symbols in parentheses are symbols given in the patent document, and the same applies below) is provided to illuminate the plants below, but the panel is not movable.

[0008] Patent Document 5 aims to install a solar power generation system that does not interfere with work even when installed in a place where workers can enter. The solar power generation system (10) described in Patent Document 5 includes a solar panel (20), a support mechanism (30) that rotatably supports the solar panel (20), a drive mechanism (40) that rotates the solar panel (20), and a control unit (70) that performs a tracking operation to control the drive mechanism (40) so that the light receiving surface (21) of the solar panel (20) continues to face the sun. The solar power generation system (10) also includes a stop input unit (84) to which a stop command for the solar panel (20) is input by an operator. When a stop command is input to the stop input unit (84), the control unit (70) stops the tracking operation and performs a stop operation to control the drive mechanism (40) so that the solar panel (20) is kept stopped at a predetermined stop position.

[0009] According to Patent Document 5, by causing the solar power generation system (10) to perform a stop operation, when the solar power generation system (10) is installed in a work space, the solar panels (20) can be held at a position where they do not obstruct the workers.

[0010] However, Patent Document 5 does not describe how to improve the efficiency of the arrangement of solar power generation panels on the land or how to provide light to the plants below.

[0011] Patent Documents 6 to 8 describe inventions in which LEDs are provided on the back surface of solar power generation panels. However, Patent Documents 6 to 8 do not describe how to improve the efficiency of the arrangement of solar power generation panels on the land or how to provide light to the plants below.

[0012] Patent Document 9 discloses a configuration in which an LED lighting unit 35 is provided on the back surface of a solar power generation panel so that plants can be grown below. However, Patent Document 9 does not describe how to improve the efficiency of the arrangement of solar power generation panels on the land or how to provide light to the plants below.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following features. The present invention is a plant cultivation system that enables plants to be cultivated under solar power generation panels, comprising a plurality of solar power generation panels that cover farmland for cultivating plants like a roof, a plurality of drive units capable of changing the orientation of each of the plurality of solar power generation panels, a plurality of lighting units provided on the back surface of each of the plurality of solar power generation panels, and a control unit for controlling the movement of each of the plurality of drive units. The plurality of lighting units emit light using the electric power generated by the plurality of solar power generation panels and direct the light onto the plants.

[0014] When a solar power generation panel whose orientation is to be changed is specified, the control unit drives the drive unit corresponding to the specified solar power generation panel to change the orientation of the solar power generation panel.

[0015] The specification of the solar panel whose orientation is to be changed is performed when an operator or a work vehicle enters the farmland.

[0016] The specification of the solar panel whose orientation is to be changed is performed by specifying the area of the farmland where light is to be applied.

[0017] The control unit has means for causing the area of the farmland where light is to be applied to be specified, means for selecting the solar power generation panel corresponding to the specified area and calculating the angle of the selected solar power generation panel, and means for driving the corresponding drive unit so that the selected solar power generation panel assumes the calculated angle.

[0018] The control unit further has means for selecting an illumination unit capable of illuminating the specified area, and means for controlling the illuminance or illumination time of the selected illumination unit.

[0019] When it is specified to apply light to the specified area, the control unit adjusts the illuminance or illumination time of the illumination unit corresponding to the specified area.

[0020] The plant cultivation system further includes a storage unit for storing a schedule for control. The control unit drives the drive unit based on the schedule.

[0021] The plant cultivation system further includes a weather sensor. The control unit drives the drive unit based on the information from the weather sensor.

[0022] The plant cultivation system further includes a storage unit for storing a schedule for control. The control unit controls the illuminance or lighting time of the lighting unit based on a schedule.

[0023] The plant cultivation system further includes a growth monitoring unit that monitors the growth of plants. The control unit drives the drive unit based on the information obtained from the growth monitoring unit.

[0024] The plant cultivation system further includes a growth monitoring unit that monitors the growth of plants. The control unit controls the illuminance or lighting time of the lighting unit based on the information obtained from the growth monitoring unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, since a plurality of solar power generation panels cover the farmland in a roof shape, the solar power generation panels can be arranged as much as possible while effectively using the land. And since the solar power generation panel can be driven by the drive unit, it is possible to accommodate agricultural implements such as work vehicles. Furthermore, by providing a lighting unit on the back surface of the solar power generation panel, it is possible to cultivate plants even under the solar power generation panel.

[0026] It is expected that the growth of plants can be controlled by specifying the area to be illuminated, moving the solar power generation panel, or controlling the illuminance or lighting time of the lighting unit.

[0027] It is expected that the growth of plants can be controlled by using a weather sensor, schedule, and growth monitor to move the solar power generation panel or control the illuminance or lighting time of the lighting unit.

[0028] These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

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Figure 9

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] In addition, an overview of the plant cultivation system will be described. As shown in Figure 1, in a plant cultivation system according to an embodiment of the present invention, plants are being cultivated on farmland. A foundation 5 is provided on the farmland. A support column 2 is installed on the foundation 5. A drive unit 6 is attached to the upper part of the support column 2. The solar power generation panel 1 is attached to the support column 2 via the drive unit 6.

[0031] For example, a driving unit 6 having a rotating shaft that rotates in a uniaxial direction may be attached to two support columns 2, and a single solar power generation panel 1 may be attached to the rotating shaft of the driving unit 6. However, any other well-known method can also be used. Further, a driving unit 6 having two or more rotational directions may be used. That is, as long as the orientation of the solar power generation panel 1 can be changed, any well-known method can be used for the specific configurations of the support column 2 and the driving unit 6, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0032] An illumination unit 4 is attached to the back surface of the solar power generation panel 1. For the illumination unit 4, for example, LED lighting or the like may be used. As shown in FIG. 1(c), a plurality of solar power generation panels 1 cover the farmland like a roof. An elastic member 3 such as a rubber plate is attached to the end of each solar power generation panel 1 to prevent rain from entering the farmland through the gap. However, in the present invention, the elastic member 3 is not an essential component.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1(a), the solar power generation panel 1 is arranged with an inclination so that rain flows to one side. However, such an inclination is not an essential component in the present invention. In addition, a rain gutter, a water storage tank, a water supply pump, a water distribution pipe, etc. may be appropriately provided in the cultivation system, but they are not essential components in the present invention.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1(b), when an operator enters the farmland or when an agricultural work vehicle is introduced into the farmland, the operator can operate to change the orientation of the solar power generation panel 1 so that the operator and the work vehicle can easily enter.

[0035] The illumination unit 4 emits light using the electric power generated by the solar power generation panel 1. During the day, by supplying the electric power generated by the solar power generation panel 1 directly to the illumination unit 4, the illumination unit 4 illuminates the plants with light. The plant cultivation system is appropriately provided with a power storage unit 9 in preparation for lighting when sunlight is scarce or at night. The illumination unit 4 also emits light using the electric power from the power storage unit 9.

[0036] The amount of light of which illuminance and the time required therefor vary depending on the plant to be cultivated. Therefore, the plant cultivation system causes the lighting unit 4 to emit light with an illuminance and lighting time (time of exposure to light) suitable for the plant being grown.

[0037] During precipitation, the plant cultivation system tilts the solar power generation panel 1 so that rainwater reaches the farmland. Also, when there is too much rain and it is unsuitable for plant cultivation, conversely, even during precipitation, the solar power generation panel 1 is kept in a roof-like shape with it closed so that rain does not reach the farmland.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 2(a), the area A to be illuminated can be specified by a screen displayed on the display unit 13. For example, assume that the growth of the plants in area A is poor. In that case, as shown in Fig. 2(b), the angle of the solar power generation panel 1 around area A is adjusted so that more light from the lighting unit 4 hits area A. Also, as shown in Fig. 2(c), it is also possible to increase only the illuminance of the lighting unit 4 around area A to promote the growth of the plants in area A. For example, only for area A, the lighting time from the lighting unit 4 may be made longer compared to the area other than area A.

[0039] Thus, the plant cultivation system of the present invention enables control of not only the light by the lighting unit 4 but also the amount of water required for cultivation.

[0040] Next, the functional configuration of the plant cultivation system will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the plant cultivation system includes a plurality of solar power generation panels 1, a plurality of lighting units 4, a plurality of drive units 6, a control unit 7, an operation unit 8, a power storage unit 9, a weather sensor 10, a growth monitoring unit 11, a communication unit 12, a display unit 13, and a storage unit 14. Note that the description of the wiring of the power system is omitted.

[0041] The electric power generated by the solar power generation panel 1 is supplied to the lighting unit 4 and the power storage unit 9. The control unit 7 appropriately controls the distribution of the generated electric power. Also, when lighting is performed by the lighting unit 4 at night, the control unit 7 controls to supply the electric power from the power storage unit 9 to the lighting unit 4. Further, the control unit 7 controls the illuminance and lighting time of the lighting unit 4.

[0042] The control unit 7 adjusts the orientation of the solar power generation panel 1 by controlling the drive unit 6.

[0043] The operation unit 8 is a device for an operator to manually move the solar power generation panel 1. The control unit 7 drives the drive unit 6 according to the instruction content from the operation unit 8 to change the orientation of the solar power generation panel 1.

[0044] The weather sensor 10 is a sensor that detects precipitation, temperature, humidity, wind speed, etc. The detected weather information is input to the control unit 7. The control unit 7 controls the lighting unit 4 and the drive unit 6 based on the weather information. For example, during rainfall, the control unit 7 raises or lowers the solar power generation panel 1. When the wind speed is strong, the control unit 7 may close the solar power generation panel 1 in a roof shape.

[0045] The growth monitoring unit 11 is a device for monitoring the growth of plants grown in farmland by means of a camera, image recognition processing, artificial intelligence, etc. The growth monitoring unit 11 inputs the monitored information, for example, information regarding an area with poor growth, to the control unit 7. The control unit 7 controls the lighting unit 4 and the drive unit 6 based on the input growth information. For example, the control unit 7 increases the illuminance of an area with poor growth, tilts the solar power generation panel 1, or allows natural sunlight to shine.

[0046] The communication unit 12 can communicate with an external communication device. For example, it is also possible to control the operation of the control unit 7 from the outside via the Internet.

[0047] The display unit 13 is a display device such as a touch panel. In the present embodiment, it is used to display and specify the area to which light is to be applied. Additionally, the display unit 13 may be used to specify the solar power generation panel 1 that is to be moved. When using a touch panel, the display unit 13 also functions as the operation unit 8.

[0048] The storage unit 14 stores the operation schedule of the solar power generation panel 1 and the lighting schedule of the lighting unit 4. The operation schedule is information such as the angle of the solar power generation panel 1 according to the season and time zone. The lighting schedule is information such as the illuminance and lighting time according to the season and time zone. It is advisable to appropriately determine what kind of schedule to set according to the type of plants to be cultivated.

[0049] Next, the operation of the control unit 7 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, when there is an operation start from the operation unit 8 (S101), the control unit 7 controls the drive unit 6 according to the operation of the operation unit 8 (S102) to adjust the angle of the solar power generation panel 1.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, when the control schedule stored in the storage unit 14 arrives (S201), the control unit 7 controls the drive unit 6 according to the content of the control schedule (S102) to adjust the angle of the solar power generation panel 1.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, when the weather sensor 10 detects information such as rainfall and wind speed (S301), the control unit 7 controls the drive unit 6 according to the detected content (S102) to adjust the angle of the solar power generation panel 1. It is advisable to determine in advance how to control the drive unit 6 according to what kind of detected content. For example, if the wind speed is above a certain number of meters, close the solar power generation panel 1, or if the precipitation is above a certain number of millimeters, raise the solar power generation panel 1. Such rules should be determined in advance.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, when the control schedule stored in the storage unit 14 arrives (S401), the control unit 7 controls the illuminance and lighting time of the lighting unit 4 according to the content of the control schedule (S402).

[0053] Using FIG. 8, the operation when there is an area where strong lighting is desired will be described. Suppose that an area where lighting is desired is specified (S501). This specification may be specified from the outside by the communication unit 12, or may be specified by operating the display unit 13.

[0054] The control unit 7 calculates the angle of the solar power generation panel 1 where the specified area is illuminated (S502). This calculation method is not particularly limited. For example, usually, if the light from the lighting unit 4 attached to the back surface of a single solar power generation panel 1 directly above hits the area, the angles of two adjacent solar power generation panels 1 are adjusted so that the lighting from the other adjacent solar power generation panel 1 hits the area. For example, as shown in FIG. 2(b), it may be adjusted to be in a V-shape.

[0055] Furthermore, as an option, when strong light is desired, the control unit 7 selects the lighting unit 4 that illuminates the specified area (S504), and controls the illuminance or lighting time (light application time) of the selected lighting unit 4 (S505).

[0056] In this way, by adjusting the angle of the solar power generation panel 1 in the area where strong light is desired, or by adjusting the light quantity and lighting time of the lighting unit, it is possible to promote growth by applying a lot of light to plants with delayed growth.

[0057] Needless to say, the operation of FIG. 8 can be applied when the amount of light applied is to be reduced.

[0058] In FIG. 8, the angle of the solar power generation panel 1 is adjusted. However, without adjusting the angle of the solar power generation panel 1, as shown in FIG. 9, it is also possible to adjust the amount of light only by the illuminance or lighting time of the lighting unit 4.

[0059] In FIG. 9, assume that an area to be illuminated is specified (S601). The control unit 7 selects the illumination unit 4 that illuminates the specified area (S602), and controls the illuminance or illumination time of the selected illumination unit 4 (S603).

[0060] In this way, it is also possible to control the amount of light hitting the specified area only by controlling the illuminance and illumination time of the illumination unit 4.

[0061] Of course, it goes without saying that the operation in FIG. 9 can be applied when it is desired to reduce the amount of light applied.

[0062] According to the plant cultivation system of the present embodiment, although a solar power generation panel is installed, the farmland can be used as it is, so cultivation is possible while effectively utilizing the existing land.

[0063] If it is okay to grow plants by illuminating them with the illumination unit on the back surface of the solar power generation panel, the solar power generation panel may be closed. When it is necessary to expose the plants to sunlight, the solar power generation panel may be opened. In this way, by using a movable solar power generation panel, sunlight can be controlled.

[0064] Furthermore, if a movable solar power generation panel is used, rainwater can also be controlled. When rainwater is not needed, the solar power generation panel may be closed, and when rainwater is needed, the solar power generation panel may be opened.

[0065] Basically, even if the solar power generation panel is configured to be closed like a roof, the illumination unit can use the generated power to illuminate the plants. Therefore, the solar power generation panel can be arranged on the farmland as much as possible like a roof. The remaining power other than for illumination can be stored or transmitted separately.

[0066] In this way, this embodiment is a plant cultivation system that enables the placement of solar power generation panels as much as possible while effectively using the land, allows for the entry of agricultural implements such as work vehicles, and enables the cultivation of various varieties.

[0067] As described above, the present invention has been described in detail. However, the foregoing description is merely an exemplification of the present invention in all respects and is not intended to limit its scope. Needless to say, various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The constituent elements of the invention disclosed in this specification shall each be independently established as a separate invention. Inventions obtained by combining each constituent element in any combination method shall also be included in the present invention. Regarding the specific expressions in this specification, they are merely exemplifications, and the present invention shall include those obtained by conceptualizing the exemplified expressions.

Industrial Applicability

[0068] The present invention is a plant cultivation system using solar power generation panels and is industrially applicable.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0069] 1 Solar power generation panel 2 Support column 3 Elastic member 4 Lighting unit 5 Foundation 6 Driving unit 7 Control unit 8 Operation unit 9 Power storage unit 10 Weather sensor 11 Growth monitoring unit 12 Communication unit 13 Display unit 14 Storage unit

Claims

1. A plant cultivation system that enables cultivation of plants under a solar power generation panel, comprising: a plurality of solar power generation panels that cover farmland for cultivating the plants like a roof; a plurality of drive units capable of changing the orientation of each of the plurality of solar power generation panels; a plurality of lighting units provided on the back surface of each of the plurality of solar power generation panels; a control unit for controlling the movement of each of the plurality of drive units, wherein the plurality of lighting units emit light using the electric power generated by the plurality of solar power generation panels and irradiate the plants with the light, characterized in that it is a plant cultivation system.

2. The plant cultivation system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the solar power generation panel for which the orientation is to be changed is specified, the drive unit corresponding to the specified solar power generation panel is driven to change the orientation of the solar power generation panel.

3. The plant cultivation system according to claim 2, characterized in that the specification of the solar power panel for which the orientation is to be changed is performed when an operator or a work vehicle enters the farmland.

4. The plant cultivation system according to claim 2, characterized in that the specification of the solar power panel for which the orientation is to be changed is performed by specifying the area of the farmland to be irradiated with light.

5. The control unit comprises: means for designating an area of the farmland to be irradiated with light; means for selecting the solar power generation panel corresponding to the designated area and calculating the angle of the selected solar power generation panel; means for driving the corresponding drive unit so that the selected solar power generation panel assumes the calculated angle, characterized in that it is a plant cultivation system according to claim 4.

6. The control unit further comprises: means for selecting the lighting unit capable of irradiating the designated area with light; means for controlling the illuminance or lighting time of the selected lighting unit, characterized in that it is a plant cultivation system according to claim 5.

7. The plant cultivation system according to claim 1, characterized in that when it is specified to irradiate the designated area with light, the illuminance or lighting time of the lighting unit corresponding to the designated area is adjusted.

8. The plant cultivation system further comprises a storage unit for storing a schedule for control. The plant cultivation system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit drives the drive unit based on the schedule.

9. The plant cultivation system further comprises a weather sensor, The plant cultivation system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit drives the drive unit based on information from the weather sensor.

10. The plant cultivation system further comprises a storage unit that stores a schedule for control, The plant cultivation system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the illuminance or lighting time of the lighting unit based on the schedule.

11. The plant cultivation system further comprises a growth monitoring unit that monitors the growth of the plant, The plant cultivation system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit drives the drive unit based on information obtained from the growth monitoring unit.

12. The plant cultivation system further comprises a growth monitoring unit that monitors the growth of the plant, The plant cultivation system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the illuminance or lighting time of the lighting unit based on information obtained from the growth monitoring unit.

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