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Solar energy is said by some... and hoped by many... to be the future of renewable energy
for the world. Work on solar related technology has been
ongoing at a leading institute here in Korea, and researchers there have recently completed
a high-tech facility that utilizes the sun's rays to grow crops indoors.
Paul Yi reports. Rows upon rows of leafy vegetables are being grown here from crispy napa cabbage
to fresh lettuce. At first glance, it may appear to be a small
laboratory experiment, but this is actually a fully-functional factory.
The state-of-art facility uses solar power as its key energy source, which generates
electricity for LED and fluorescent lights in this tightly controlled environment.
"The pH of the culture medium or the electrical conduction can be automatically controlled.
The light intensity and quality can also be automated from a control unit as part of the
operation of this plant."
Researchers at the Chuncheongbuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services say this is
the future of farming. Almost every factor, from the temperature
and humidity to the nutrients, is scientifically monitored and regulated.
Being indoors also means that any crop can be grown all-year-round without the need for
pesticides.
" We are selecting functional plant cultivation techniques that are effective in growing mass
crops. We are then taking these specialized cultivation technologies and developing a
package product."
Though the initial costs are high, the agricultural research institute says the solar-based cultivation
system will be a commercial success in the long-run... as it allows farmers and their
crops to weather any storm or natural disaster from inside.
Paul Yi, Arirang News