Members of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Faculty of Agriculture and the Institute of Chemistry have produced a new model of photoelectric cell with “technologically proven efficiency” whose performance could “drastically change the energy, solar and agricultural production game.” change”.
According to Israeli scientists, these solar cells will cover agricultural areas such as fields and greenhouses, as well as bodies of water, helping to generate green electricity and optimize agricultural production “without disturbing natural habitats under natural panels.”
In turn, the university announced that where they are installed, they will produce electrical energy “without depleting natural resources or harming the environment”, and that “innovation will reduce energy costs per kWh (kilowatt hour) in Israel”. .
If half of the country’s greenhouses are covered with these photocells, green electricity production could be achieved above Israel’s national target for 2050.
Cells are made up of crystals of a mineral called perovskiteand all of this is done “in a relatively simple process using inexpensive and readily available materials.”
“The chemical replacement makes solar cells transparent to the most efficient part of the light spectrum that drives photosynthesis, while converting most of the remaining light energy into electricity,” they explain.
Professor Lioz Etgar, one of the study’s authors, points out that “it has been clear for many years that most of the light energy in agricultural greenhouses is wasted, as plants use only a fraction of the energy from sunlight.”
Against this background, the expert adds: “The solution proposed by the Hebrew University maximizes solar energy production on farmland by 300%.”
These new photovoltaic cells are expected to be much cheaper than the existing ones, as they will be made of silicon; improving growing conditions by reducing heat and carbon emissions; and that they serve to “contain water and protect crops from weathering and provide partial protection against pests and diseases.”
Source: Ultimahora
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Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
