Solar Panel System for an Automatic Bird Pest Repellent (Scarecrow) Driven by a DC Motor

Abstract

Bird pests, especially sparrows, are a major problem for rice farmers as they frequently attack crops nearing harvest. This study aims to design and develop an automatic bird repellent device that utilizes movement and sound generated by a scarecrow driven by a DC motor, with solar panels serving as the primary power source. The system consists of two main components: a control system (Tx) and an execution unit (Rx), connected via a LoRa communication module. A 150 Wp monocrystalline solar panel is used to supply power and charge a 100 Ah LiFePO4 battery as backup. The scarecrow operates in a 22-minute active and 8-minute idle cycle, generating noise using cans filled with stones, designed to mimic a piston mechanism. Test results show the solar panel can produce an average power of 90.06 watts under clear conditions and 64.42 watts during cloudy weather. The scarecrow has an effective reach of up to 45 meters, covering an area of approximately 405 m². This system has proven effective in repelling birds and offers a cost-efficient, environmentally friendly solution to reduce farmers’ reliance on conventional methods and improve crop yields.