Optimizing Mushroom Cultivation: PV-Powered Environmental Control Systems

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology, which converts solar radiation into electrical energy, is increasingly used in agriculture to power farm appliances. However, maintaining optimal environmental conditions for crop cultivation remains challenging. This study addresses this issue by integrating PV technology with an environmental monitoring and control unit to create a self-sustainable greenhouse, enhancing crop breeders’ efficiency. The primary problem addressed is the difficulty in maintaining stable temperature and humidity levels in mushroom cultivation environments. The research aims to develop and simulate a PV-powered temperature control system for an oyster mushroom house, chosen due to its high market demand. Using Matlab/Simulink, a working model simulation was created to analyze the system’s performance in maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels. The simulation, based on energy balance equations, connects a mushroom house subsystem to Simscape electrical components and a solar panel. Simulation results indicate that the system can maintain a stable temperature around 25.7℃ throughout the day, regardless of ambient temperature variations. In conclusion, the study successfully developed a solar-powered temperature control system for oyster mushroom cultivation, demonstrating its potential to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural practices.