Automatic irrigation of green roofs
Self-monitoring irrigation — so maintenance is no longer a concern for years.
Discover how to outsource irrigation to data.
The challenge
Green roofs – and in particular sloped green roofs – place high demands on water management. Due to the slope, precipitation drains off more quickly, causing plants to dry out faster. Manual irrigation or timer-controlled systems are often insufficiently reliable and frequently lead to plant loss, additional maintenance, and unnecessary interventions on the roof.
Green roofs buffer rainwater locally, significantly reducing the pressure on the sewer system during heavy rainfall. With PlantData Live, you are ready for the future. Our connected system ensures that green roofs with water buffers will be used for dynamic urban water management.
Our solution
PlantData Live offers a fully automated irrigation solution for green roofs, based on real-time sensor data and online control. The system independently manages the watering based on the actual moisture condition of the roof, allowing plants to grow optimally – without you having to constantly monitor it.
No more unnecessary on-site visits because the system alerts the responsible person of any possible anomalies.
How it works
Measuring what matters
A soil moisture sensor is installed in the green roof that continuously measures the moisture of the substrate. This data forms the basis for every irrigation decision.
The PlantData Live platform also features local precipitation forecasts for smarter management.
Smart automatic control
Our software compares the measured values with preset thresholds. Is the roof too dry? Then the system automatically activates the pump.
Is there enough moisture? Then irrigation will be skipped.
This way, the green roof receives exactly the right amount of water, no more and no less.
Complete online management
Follow-up of your installations online or in the app:
- monitor the current humidity
- check the operation of the pump
- adjust settings if desired
Receive notifications on your mobile phone or email when attention is required.
Reliable and self-controlling
The solution is intentionally simple and robust. Fewer components mean less chance of failures.
If something goes wrong – like a water shortage or a blockage – then:
- the system automatically detects anomalies
- You will receive an immediate notification via Email, WhatsApp, or Microsoft Teams
- do you have data to quickly make the correct diagnosis
Periodic check-up visits are therefore unnecessary.
What do we deliver?
Software
- Online platform for automatic control
- Monitoring of humidity, pump operation, and power failure
- Alarms and notifications
- Access via standard web browser or mobile app
Hardware
- Central IoT unit with online connectivity
- Humidity sensor
- Relay module for controlling pumps
- Nutrition and accessories
PlantData Live is your point of contact for support with connection and startup.
Result for roof builders and building managers
Our solution reduces operational costs throughout the entire lifespan of a green roof or facade cladding:
- Better survival chances of planting
- Less maintenance and interventions
- Complete insight into operation and performance
- A future-oriented, data-driven solution for green roofs
Result for public water management
PlantData Live connects systems online. Our solution for irrigating green roofs can be used to prevent overloading of urban drainage by actively managing water buffers distributed throughout the city.
Sustainable water management thanks to the internet of things. Be sure to contact us to discuss this further.
Interested in this solution?
This irrigation solution is already being successfully used in green roof projects, whether flat, sloped, or vertical. Contact us to see how we can implement this in your project.
"The roof of the future is circular, green, and sustainable. As a sustainability and innovation advisor, we aim for advanced automation."
