Harnessing Light for a Greener Future: A New Era of Sustainable Farming at Mississippi State

By Camille Carskadon

Nestled within the colorful landscape of North Farm at Mississippi State University, a revolution in agriculture is quietly taking root. The ambitious project led by mechanical engineering graduate student and program manager John Davis promises to rethink how solar energy is harnessed while cultivating plants efficiently. As global food demands rise, the research conducted in the unassuming greenhouse could hold solutions essential for a more sustainable future.

At the heart of Davis' work is Project Power Plant, the intersection of solar energy and plant growth. The project, which began in the fall of 2023, was sparked by the work of previous mechanical engineering students who laid the groundwork for the foundational research. Davis was determined to explore new heights in agricultural technology.

“It all started with the idea of generating solar energy alongside plant cultivation in an efficient way,” he reflected.

Davis explained that while solar energy is praised for its environmental benefits, it has its downsides. A significant downside to their usage is the large amount of space required for the panels to gather energy, space that could be utilized in other ways, such as agriculture. He hopes to alleviate that and allow solar energy and agriculture to work in harmony.

The design utilizes a unique window tint, a film that selectively reflects wavelengths of light not needed for plant growth while allowing crucial visible light to penetrate. This innovative approach not only maximizes the light available for plants, such as tomatoes and basil, but also positions solar panels to optimize electricity generation.

“Both plants and solar panels need light, but neither needs all of it,” Davis explained. “We can filter out the unnecessary wavelengths while making the most out of the sunlight that hits our solar panels.”

By concentrating the right spectrum of light, the project aims to enhance both the yield of fruits and vegetables and the production of clean energy, potentially mitigating the strain on current agricultural systems and energy sources.