As part of a research project, the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) has developed a mini solar module for use in agriculture. The module, which is the size of a credit card, contains thin-film solar cells, a supercapacitor, and a data transmission module.
According to VTT, it is attached directly to the stems or leaves of crop plants. The data collected can then be used to improve yields, combat plant diseases and reduce agricultural emissions. There is no need to collect the modules afterwards, as they decompose at the end of the growing season.
»When a solar cell is used in agriculture, biodegradability is essential. In this case, no damage is caused if the cell cannot be removed from the field, even if it is in close contact with the soil. Furthermore, no harmful substances are released into the environment or exacerbate the microplastics problem,« says Maria Smolander, research manager at VTT.
»The goal here is not to collect a large amount of energy; rather, it is about low-energy sensors that can be used to monitor the state of the environment. The degradable solar cell is not intended to match the performance of conventional cells, nor is a long service life required,« says Marja Välimäki, a senior scientist at VTT.
The three-year »Tesla« research project aims to develop biodegradable sensors for crops. The project is jointly funded by the CHIST-ERA programme and national donors, including the Academy of Finland, and involves VTT, the University of Tampere, the Łukasiewicz Institute for Microelectronics and Photonics (IMIF), the Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique SA (CSEM), and McGill University.
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