In partnership with the Australian-based company ClearVue Technologies, scientists from Edith Cowan University’s Electron Science Research Institute (ESRI) in Perth have developed a form of energy harvesting that could become a revolutionary alternative to solar panels. Described as the world’s first clear energy harvesting glass, ESRI scientists claim this new discovery will help greenhouses produce crops year-round in any climate or environmental conditions. While there are similar innovative projects being worked on, ESRI’s solar glass distinguishes itself from its counterparts by being the only energy harvesting glass that’s clear.
The solar glass lies within an activated interlayer that’s nestled between two panes of glass. The interlayer absorbs 90 percent of the sun’s radiation, and redirects the energy to the pane’s edges where it’s harvested through solar cells. The glass enables 70 percent of visible light to pass through, and the harvested energy will be used to power the structure that the windows are a part of for functions like lighting, temperature control, irrigating, and purifying water.
Based on the model of ESRI’s prototype, the scientists working on the project believe their solar glass can be used to construct and maintain greenhouses capable of growing crops in different parts of the world, regardless of temperate or other climate conditions.
“Being able to selectively control light radiation, thus maximizing the crop yield, while producing and storing electricity for water desalination, irrigation, heating, and air conditioning, will enable greenhouses to operate in a closed environment,” says ESRI Director Professor Kamal Alameh. “This is particularly significant for parts of the world that are too hot and dry for traditional greenhouse agriculture.”
ESRI received a $1.6 million grant to fund a 300-square meter greenhouse that will be used to give their solar glass its first trial run. If constructed properly, this greenhouse should be capable of generating 50 watts of power per square meter of surface area. If the initial round of tests for ESRI’s solar glass are successful, they can start looking towards the bigger picture that would involve getting their solar glass to the most barren, inhospitable environments of the world for the purpose of using it to grow crops for that region’s local populace.
The solar glass and structures will be able to provide farmer’s crops safety and security from thieves, animals, and reduce the need to look into chemicals like pesticides, which will all save farmers money and improve the quality of food.
“With a closed environment under good controlled conditions, we want to get to the point where we can actually reduce the use of pesticides, fungicides, and any other of the chemicals that are used because at the end of the day, you do swallow them and you do eat them,” says ClearVue Technologies Chairman Victor Rosenberg. “Safety and security to me is prime.”
