Applications of solar PV systems in agricultural automation and robotics

Abstract Rapid advancements in science and technology have become a driving force behind robotics and automation technology developments in agriculture. Digital agriculture has opened ways of improving efficiency and reducing energy inputs by utilizing information technology to make agricultural activities more productive and consistent. Implementation of digital and automation systems, including robots, communication networks, computer-based sensors and actuators, and other advanced farm machinery, has the potential to transform agricultural activities while there is still room for improvement. The increasing rate of using fossil fuels as the power source in agricultural farms will neither be affordable nor sustainable due to climate change concerns and the adverse effects of volatile fossil fuel prices on production costs. Solar energy is the most abundant and reliable source of energy, and photovoltaic (PV) technology is the predominant electrical renewable technology for electricity production. PV technology has gradually become an energy-saving and cost-effective technique in the transformation from traditional to modern agriculture. In this chapter, the utilization of PV systems in agricultural automation and robotics is presented and case studies are discussed.