Developing and evaluating a multi nozzle spraying machine powered by solar energy for agricultural smallholdings [electronic resource].

Includes bibliographic reference.

The general objective of this study is to develop and assess the performance of a moving machine, energy battery,
and pumping mechanism intended for a solar energy-powered spraying machine. To achieve this aim, a spraying machine
was developed and evaluated powered by solar energy via a flexible solar panel system. The development and evaluation
process of the spraying machine was done in different steps. The first step was to build and develop the portable unit
with remote control unit and the power system. In the second step, the spraying system was hydraulically evaluated under
different nozzle types (the full-cone and the Hollow-cone), and nozzle heights by measuring the nozzle distribution
efficiency and CV. The third step was to evaluate the spraying machine unit under field conditions. The results of
hydraulic evaluation affirmed that, the greatest worth of distribution efficiency was 68.09% with CV% of 3.7%
under 60 cm nozzle height and the Hollow-cone single nozzle. The obtained results from the solar panel system showed that,
the maximum irradiance was 7783 W m-2day-1 in the summer. The theoretical performance rate was 0.25 (ha h-1) with the
operation width of 0.75m and machine velocity of one m s-1. The daily theoretical performance rate was 1.82, 1.5,
and 1.1 ha day-1. The actual daily performance rate in the spring season was 1.2 ha day-1 with 80% of the machine
field efficiency. Therefore, the energy produced from solar panels could a good alternative source for the energy
consumption in the smallholding’s agricultural machines.

Summary in Arabic.