Efficient greenhouse complexes that will grow crops using the resources available on desert coasts could improve food security for millions. KAUST researchers are calling for a new generation of vast greenhouse complexes, supported by novel solar panels, air-cooling technologies, and advances in salt-tolerant agriculture. Their concept could kickstart a sustainable agriculture revolution in coastal desert regions across the world. “Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) uses integrated systems to facilitate sustainable, local crop growth on a large scale,” says Kyle Lauersen, synthetic biologist. One solution comes from KAUST start-up iyris: which uses semitransparent solar panels as windows.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 18, 2020 05:15 UTC