The impact of greenhouse integrated photovoltaics on Aloe vera cultivation

In recent years, the global demand for medicinal plants has been rising steadily. This study focuses on cultivating Aloe vera within a large-scale, pilot smart greenhouse installed at the University of Patras, Greece. The integration of advanced Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, sensors, and the KYTION cablebot robotic device plays a crucial role in monitoring the cultivation process and deriving valuable insights. The greenhouse structure presented in this study not only recognizes these challenges but actively addresses them through state-of-the-art IoT technology-based measurements. Preliminary quantitative results indicate that cultivating A. vera in greenhouses significantly enhances blooming and production compared to open-field cultivation. This promising approach addresses the growing demand for A. vera specifically and medicinal plants in general. Additionally, it maximizes the use of available arable land, labor, water, and energy, ensuring stable production under unstable and variable climatic conditions. The study aims to control and automate the microclimate, optimizing conditions for A. vera growth within a controlled digital environment. By offering insights into the intersection of smart agricultural practices, technology-driven measurement and automation, and ad-hoc crop-specific cultivation strategies, this research provides a promising pathway for sustainably enhancing A. vera cultivation in controlled environments.