Taiwan looks to use greenhouses to increase energy sources

Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Administration minister Stephen Shen thinks his country could develop renewable energy sources by building photonic greenhouses on some of the 200,000 hectares (about 494,211 acres) of fallow land available in his country. The Taipei Times reports that Shen said the greenhouses could use solar energy to generate power and to raise cash crops such as orchids.
Shen said the greenhouses would be equipped with light-pervious solar cell panels installed on the roofs. The panels, which can separate blue-green light from red-orange wavelengths, would generate power and heat the greenhouses. The power generated could be used in neighboring areas and the greenhouses would also produce crops with high economic value.
EPA has contacted German government officials, who have experience in the development of renewable energy sources, to seek assistance from that’s country’s experts. EPA officials also hope to host a forum in Taipei in April with German experts in attendance.