ISHS Acta Horticulturae 554: World Congress on Soilless Culture: Agriculture in the Coming Millennium
THE USE OF SOLAR ENERGY FOR A SMALL RECIRCULATING HYDROPONIC SYSTEM |
| Authors: | N.J.J. Combrink, T.M. Harms |
| Keywords: | Automatic ebb-and-flow, Beta vulgaris, solar energy |
| Abstract:
Vitamin A and C deficiencies retard the development of pre-school children in the rural areas of Southern Africa. This patent (DrG REF: 581014) was developed to enable families in these areas to produce vegetables in the dry winter months. Water is carried from rivers or wells, usually for several kilometers. A plant production unit, using the absolute minimum of water, may help these families to produce leafy vegetables such as Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris), containing vitamin A and C. An automatic, recirculating ebb-and-flow system was developed. The lack of electricity in the rural areas necessitated the use of an alternative source of energy to drive the pump to recirculate the nutrient solution. This was done using a solar panel (18W) that drove a 12V caravan shower pump. This also served as a solar integrator, since higher pumping rates and irrigation frequencies resulted at increased levels of solar radiation. | |
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