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School of Sustainable Energy Engineering
SEE researcher advances sustainable greenhouse technology with support from the New Frontiers in Research Fund
Sustainable energy engineering professor Vincenzo Pecunia has been announced as a recipient of the .
He has received funding of nearly $250,000 to advance research on next-generation solar-powered greenhouses. The project titled 鈥淣ext-Generation Printable Solar Cells for Sustainable Greenhouse Agriculture: Integrating Advanced Materials and Plant Science with Farmers鈥� Perspectives and Indigenous Knowledge鈥� aims to improve both the practicality and social acceptability of greenhouse systems in Canada.
Pecunia, along with his team at 911吃瓜鈥檚 are developing lightweight, organic solar cells that can be printed directly onto greenhouse coverings or used as a replacement for them. Unlike conventional solar powered greenhouses, these innovative solar cell materials allow plants to receive the light they need while generating clean electricity, potentially improving both crop production and energy output.
The research combines technological innovation with community co-design, working closely with farmers and Indigenous communities through a Two-Eyed Seeing approach. Their knowledge, values, and agricultural practices will help shape solar cell designs, greenhouse systems, and crop choices. By creating customizable, visually appealing solar cells, the project also seeks to address cultural and social barriers to adoption.
The project strives to pave the way for transforming solar greenhouses to support Canada鈥檚 sustainable food production goals and climate resilience.