Rainwater Valve Control for Agri-PV Plant Irrigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to grow plants under optimized conditions while minimizing the absorption of pollutants from rainwater used for irrigation, which can contain acid rain, biological contaminants, or radioactive/chemical substances, in agri-photovoltaic systems where partial shading may enhance plant growth but also introduces pollutant risks.
Innovation Solution
An arrangement with a supporting structure, a collecting trough, and a bottom-side container for rainwater collection, featuring an electrically actuated valve controlled by pollutant sensors to divert contaminated rainwater away from the irrigation system and ensure it meets predetermined quality thresholds before use, utilizing sensors for pH, radioactivity, and conductivity to manage pollutant levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If rainwater is collected for irrigation to optimize water supply, then water availability for plants is improved, but pollutant absorption by plants increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rainwater collection system is segmented into separate storage containers: a first container for polluted rainwater and a second container for clean rainwater. This segmentation allows the system to collect and store rainwater while preventing pollutant transfer to plants, thus maintaining water availability while eliminating harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor system acts as an intermediary between the rainwater collection and plant irrigation processes. The sensor detects pollutant concentrations in real-time and triggers the control device to redirect water flow, serving as a mediator that prevents direct contact between polluted rainwater and plants while maintaining the irrigation function.
2Temperature
If PV modules are arranged to form a closed roof for plant protection, then plant growth conditions are optimized through shading and temperature control, but pollutant accumulation on the roof surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful accumulation of pollutants on the PV module surfaces into a beneficial flushing process. When sensors detect high pollutant concentrations, the control device activates to flush the PV modules with clean water from the second container, transforming the pollutant accumulation problem into an automated cleaning benefit that maintains both energy production and water quality.
3Measurement precision
If automated control systems are implemented to manage rainwater quality, then pollutant detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to be self-service through automated sensor-based detection and control. The sensors continuously monitor pollutant levels and automatically trigger the control device to switch between containers or flush PV modules without human intervention. This self-service approach maintains high measurement precision while minimizing the operational complexity burden on users.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces pollutant absorption by plants, optimizing growth conditions and ensuring safe irrigation water, enhancing land utilization efficiency in integrated agricultural and energy production systems.
Implementation Method 1
the valve (32) is actuated depending on the pollutant concentration detected by the rainwater pollutant sensor (50)
Implementation Method 2
utilizing sensors for pH, radioactivity, and conductivity to manage pollutant levels
Implementation Method 3
utilizing sensors for pH, radioactivity, and conductivity to manage pollutant levels
Implementation Method 4
the collecting channel (14) can be connected in terms of flow to a bottom container (20) or a dirty water drain line (34) via a rainwater drain line (30) with an electrically actuated valve (32) arranged therein
Implementation Method 5
at least one closed roof surface (40) arranged thereon and inclined relative to the horizontal, and a collecting trough (14) arranged below the roof surface, for example along a lower edge thereof, for collecting and dissipating material impinging on the roof surface
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An arrangement (1) for cultivating plants (100), comprising a supporting structure (2), at least one inclined closed roof surface (40) arranged on it, a collecting trough (14) arranged below the roof surface (40) for collecting and draining rainwater striking the roof surface (40), and a bottom-level container (20) into which the rainwater collected in the collecting trough (14) can be directed in order to collect it in the bottom-level container (20) and, if necessary, apply it to plants (100) that can be cultivated below the roof surface (40), is characterized in that the collecting trough (14) can be selectively connected to the bottom-level container (20) or to a wastewater drain line (34) via a rainwater drainage pipe 30 and an electrically actuated valve (32) arranged therein.that the arrangement (1) further comprises an electronic control device (36) for actuating the valve (32) and at least one rainwater pollutant sensor (50) connected thereto, which is arranged upstream of the valve (32) in the rainwater drainage pipe (30) or the collection channel (14), wherein the control device (36) is configured to switch the electrically actuated valve (32) from a first switching position, in which the rainwater drainage pipe (30) communicates exclusively with the wastewater drainage pipe (34) in order to introduce contaminated rainwater into the wastewater drainage pipe (34), to a second switching position, in which the rainwater drainage pipe (30) communicates fluidically with the bottom-side container (20),when the pollutant concentration detected by the rainwater pollutant sensor (50) falls below a predetermined pollutant threshold. The invention further comprises a method for cultivating plants using such an arrangement (1).