Design and Performance Evaluation of a Solar-powered Boom Sprayer Vehicle for Agricultural Applications

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable and cost-effective agricultural technologies has created the need for innovative spraying solutions suitable for small and marginal farmers. This project presents the design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of a Farmer-Friendly Solar-Powered Boom Sprayer Vehicle developed at the College of Technology and Agriculture Engineering, Jodhpur. The system is designed to reduce manual labour, minimize chemical exposure, and eliminate dependence on fossil fuels and battery storage systems. The sprayer operates entirely on real-time solar energy using two 50W solar panels connected in series to supply power to a 24V DC diaphragm pump through a solar charge controller. The vehicle is equipped with a five-nozzle boom system that ensures uniform spray distribution across crop rows, achieving an effective spray width of approximately 1.8 meters. A 30–35 litre storage tank supplies the spraying liquid, providing about 22–25 minutes of continuous operation per refill. Performance testing under sunny field conditions confirmed stable voltage output (36–37V), consistent pump pressure (~80 PSI), and an open flow rate of 1.5 LPM. The system demonstrated the ability to cover approximately 315 m² per tank and nearly one acre within 90 minutes using five refills. Constructed with a lightweight mild steel chassis and repurposed materials, the vehicle is easy to manoeuvre and cost-effective, with an estimated total cost of USD 219.92. The developed system possess a low operating cost as compare to traditional diesel operated sprayers, environmentally friendly with a minimum repair and maintenance.