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Smart Greenhouse Automation System

Monitor and/or control every aspect of greenhouses using ControlByWeb modules and a computer/smartphone via an IP network!

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Overview: Smart Greenhouse Automation

Commercial greenhouses and their control systems are an important part of the horticulture industry with nearly 14 million acres globally under a greenhouse covering, and over 1 million acres under permanent greenhouse structures. As demand for food, house plants, and even cannabis increases, smart greenhouse automation is quickly becoming the gold standard.

Commercial growers build smart greenhouse automation systems to improve their quality and production. In order to effectively automate a greenhouse you need reliable monitoring and control that scales from small semi-permanent greenhouses to large permanent structures spanning many acres.

  Features

  • Monitor temp/humidity, and soil moisture sensors
  • Control fans, vents, heaters, soil moisture, etc.
  • Local & remote, real-time monitoring
  • Log sensor data
  • Email/text notifications
  • And much more...

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Common Greenhouse Control Problems

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Scalable Monitoring & Control

Industrial control systems are prohibitively expensive for small operators, while smaller solutions lack advanced capability.

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Data Hosting

Cloud-based solutions require recurring data hosting fees which cut into profits, diminishing the benefits of installing a smart greenhouse in the first place.

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Affordable Flexibility

It's easier to find a solution for one or a few monitoring challenges, but identifying a complete system that is both reliable and affordable is difficult.

ControlByWeb™ Greenhouse Solutions

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Scale Effortlessly

Our sensors and I/O devices work as a stand alone device, complete control system, or simply as part of a more advanced industrial control system.

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Cloud Optional

Our monitoring and control devices work independently of a cloud so no additional fees are required. Integration with a cloud is optional.

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Monitor & Control Anything

Our expandable I/O can monitor any sensor and control motors, lights, fans, vents, valves, pumps, and more. Mix and match while keeping costs low.

How ControlByWeb® Works

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Case Study: Costa Farms

Costa Farms is a multi-national supplier of house plants that grows $600 million worth each year. Their smart greenhouses represent some of the most advanced automation at scale in the horticulture world. They use ControlByWeb's I/O products to monitor sensors gathering data on such things as temperature, humidity, light, soil moisture, salinity, and more. Our devices control a variety of greenhouse equipment such as fans, vents, motors, pumps, and valves.

Costa farms logo

Control Growth Speed and Plant Quality

Their control system, partially powered by ControlByWeb, needs to be precise, reliable, and scalable. We help Costa Farms control growth speed and plant quality in a cost effective way.

Automation Based on Weather

In addition to environmental control, Costa Farms is using ControlByWeb modules to monitor outside weather and sunlight to affect how the greenhouse reacts to external factors. High winds will close vents, sunnier conditions will reduce lighting and, in conjunction with temperature, can activate automated shade cloth covers. Our controllers even help with employee safety by monitoring lightning detectors and sounding alarms. Costa Farms has a wide variety of I/O needs and looks to ControlByWeb and our inherent flexibility to solve them.

Commercial greenhouse interior

Six Reasons Why You Should Choose ControlByWeb®

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Industrial-Grade Reliability Is Our First Priority

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Scalable Solutions for any Industrial Application

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Cost Effective, Self-Contained I/O Devices

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Flexible Communications and Compatibility

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Responsive Support and Thorough Documentation

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Founded in 1999 and Manufactured in the USA

Smart Greenhouse Automation Kits

Advanced Greenhouse Controller Kit

Fully monitor and automate all aspects of a greenhouse: Temperature/Humidity, irrigation, soil moisture, vents, fans, pumps, irrigation valves, lights, weather, etc.

Items in Kit:

  • X-420 Master controller | Supports up to 64 I/O points from other ControlByWeb modules
    • Up to 8 Temperature and humidity: Monitor temperature and humidity with one sensor
    • 4 Analog Inputs: For monitoring soil moisture sensors
    • 2 Digital I/O: For controlling irrigation valves, fans, vents, etc.
    • 1 Frequency Input: For monitoring wind speed sensors
  • X-417 | Analog Output Module | 8 configurable analog outputs for controlling VFDs
  • Temperature Humidity Probe | Measures both temperature and humidity with one sensor
  • Power Supplies | Powers the X-420 and X-417
Advanced greenhouse control kit wiring diagram View Advanced Greenhouse Kit

For custom greenhouse kits, please contact us

Other Recommended Products for Smart Greenhouse Automation
Name XW-110 X-420 X-400
Temp/Humidity Sensors Supported Up to 3
Temperature		 Up to 16
Temperature/Humidity		 Up to 16
Temperature/Humidity
Relays
Control heaters, fans, vents, lights, motors, pumps, valves, locks		 2
Configurable, 5V inputs/output		 Up to 64*
Analog Inputs
Compatible with Soil Moisture sensors		 4 Up to 64*
Digital Inputs
Monitor door sensors		 2 Up to 64*
Communication Type
Cellular price may not be reflected		 Wireless Ethernet Ethernet & Cellular
X-400C model for Cellular
Task Builder
Custom greenhouse logic with no scripting required		 ✔ ✔
Email/Text Notifications ✔ ✔ ✔
Log Sensor Data ✔
Log file sent via daily email		 ✔
Internal		 ✔
Internal
Supports Basic Scripts
Used for advanced logic		 ✔ ✔ ✔
Admin/Manager/User Access Roles ✔ ✔
Password Protected (Optional) ✔ ✔ ✔
Protocols HTTP, XML, SSL, SMTP, Modbus TCP/IP, Remote Services HTTP, HTTPS/TLS, SSL, XML, Modbus TCP/IP, SNMP, SMTP, Remote Services HTTP, HTTPS/TLS, SSL, XML, Modbus TCP/IP, SNMP, SMTP, Remote Services
Power Options Two AA Batteries and/or 5 VAC 9-28 VDC 9-28 VDC
Price $159.95 $359.95 $249.95*
More Information More Information More Information

* May require an expansion module(s). The X-400 is a master controller compatible with expansion modules which contain a variety of I/O combinations. It can handle up to 64 I/O total (up to 64 of an I/O type (relays, temp sensors, etc.)).

Frequently Asked Questions

Answer

Monitoring a greenhouse is deploying sensors such as temperature, humidity, soil moisture, soil pH, UV, and more and conveying that data to either a control system, or to a responsible person who can react accordingly.

Answer

A smart greenhouse is a greenhouse that uses sensors and automated control to detect and actively maintain an ideal growing environment with equipment such as heaters, ventilation, lighting, irrigation, etc.

Answer

Greenhouse control systems consist of sensors, controllers, and programmed logic that initiates actions based on sensor readings. A basic example would be temperature control. A temperature sensor speaks to a controller that is programmed to activate or de-activate both heaters, vents, and fans to maintain an appropriate temperature range inside the greenhouse.

Answer

Automating a greenhouse can be a fairly simple task, or it can be a big undertaking depending on the size and scope of the operation. Automation is achieved by choosing a process that is ideal for automating, such as temperature control. First, install a sensor which detects a key metric, such as a temperature reading. Second, install a controller, such as the X-420, that can take the sensor reading and apply programmable logic which then initiates a control process. Third, install equipment that can be initiated (such as a heater, fan, or ventilation) to maintain an ideal environmental state.

Answer

Sensors commonly used in greenhouses include the following:

  • Temperature
    • Air Temperature
    • Substrate Temperature
    • Plant Temperature
  • Humidity
  • Soil Moisture
  • Light
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Weather
    • Wind Speed & Direction
    • Precipitation
  • Security
  • Power Status/Availability
Answer

Temperatures above 90° F or 32° C are too hot for a greenhouse. The ideal temperature range for a greenhouse is generally considered between 80° and 85° F, or 26° to 29° C. But those are general rules of green thumb. The truth is, each type of plant will have its own ideal growing conditions, including both temperature and humidity.

Answer

Temperature control inside a greenhouse can be done in a variety of ways, and depends largely on the size of the greenhouse and the climate where it exists. A basic temperature control will include an air temperature sensor, a heater (in colder climates), and some ridge vents. Commercial operations often include more complex systems. Shade cloth is a common tool used by growers everywhere to help keep plants cool during the hottest months of the year.

Answer

This certainly depends on your situation, but we're definitely partial to our XW-110 Wireless Temperature Sensor and our WebRelay Wireless modules that take in temperature readings and, via Wi-Fi, send out email and/or text alerts. These can be combined with temperature control systems or can simply monitor and send alerts wirelessly.

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