A DIY solar-powered plant monitor built around an ESP32-C3 uses a capacitive soil moisture sensor, SK6812 addressable LEDs, and a PIR motion sensor to display soil moisture status only when someone is nearby. Power comes from a small LiPo battery charged by a solar panel running off indoor lighting. The build has limitations: the voltage regulator can't supply enough current for WiFi, so status is LED-only, and the solar setup is underpowered. Despite these shortcomings, it served as a useful learning project.
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