Smart solar-powered hydroponic system based on artificial intelligence as a replicable model for sustainable food development in vulnerable communities

Abstract

This study presents the design and implementation of a compact NFT hydroponic system, integrated with solar photovoltaic energy and IoT-based intelligent control. The objective was to evaluate the technical feasibility of a replicable model for domestic environments and vulnerable communities in Latin America. A key feature of the system is the integration of an intelligent communication interface that acts as a proactive crop health monitor, translating complex variables into simplifi ed user alerts. The results demonstrate superior water effi ciency, with a 72.2% reduction in water consumption compared to traditional manual irrigation. The Raspberry Pi-based control system ensured the stability of physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, and conductivity), reducing manual intervention by 50% to 60%. It is concluded that energy autonomy, combined with intuitive communication, strengthens urban food sovereignty by enabling effi cient production without requiring advanced technical expertise.