ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A new approach to solar energy and recycling could soon change the way food is grown. At UNC Asheville, researchers are developing lightweight solar panels that can be built directly into greenhouses.
“Traditionally, plastics have a pretty bad rep for their role in the environment and one thing we do is we design some really cool special plastics that can be used as solar panels,” Jeromy Rech, chemistry and biochemistry assistant professor at UNC Asheville, said.
The project aims to give plastics a new role by creating a fully recyclable biopolymer system that could be used on Earth and in outer space…