To feed the growing global population, estimates suggest we will have to increase food production by as much as 68 percent by 2050 (Marr, 2022). To aid this issue, we developed a cost effective solar powered seawater based hydroponic system that uses a 15% seawater medium. To ensure little water is wasted, an Arduino powered salinity sensor was installed. This sensor and the computer that runs it were powered through solar power, which conserves energy and increases the system’s mobility. Through the sensor reading the ppt (parts per thousand) of the medium, the user can adjust the levels of salinity to keep it at the original 15%. The expected range of salinity should be 6.4 - 6.5 ppt. Our system costs $413.23 which is significantly less than other systems on the market while still using a part seawater mixture and Arduino sensor to monitor the salinity levels. Popular systems like the Current Culture Under Current 4 costs $1421.06 and the Under Current XL RDWC costs $1,620.95. These systems do not utilize seawater or a sensor, yet our system costs around $1000 to $1200 less, increasing its accessibility. Using a seawater solution in sensorless systems may have detrimental effects as users would not know whether to add freshwater or seawater as water evaporates from the system and is absorbed by the plant roots. Growing plants in a hydroponic system that uses 15% seawater allows freshwater to be saved and used for drinking and other purposes.

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