University of Maryland/Department of Energy
Before your produce reaches your fridge, it goes through a chain of suppliers: a farm, a truck, a packing, washing, and sorting facility, another truck, until it finally reaches your local grocery store.
A new solar-powered home that grows leafy greens indoors skips most of those steps. The home, created by a team of graduate students from the University of Maryland, features a wall that uses an agricultural technique called hydroponic farming. That means that produce grows in nutrient-rich water rather than traditional soil.
Called ReACT, the home also features an enclosed patio, which can be turned into a climate-controlled greenhouse that can grow more crops, including veggies, fruits, and herbs.
ReACT won second place in this years Solar Decathlon, a biannual competition organized by the US Department of Energy that searches for eco-friendly housing prototypes from college students around the world. There were 12 university teams in this year's competition.
Though the Maryland team doesn't have any immediate plans to produce more homes, the team told Business Insider that the ReACt would likely sell for between $250,000 and $300,000.
Take a tour below.
The ReACT is a solar-powered home that measures 1,190 square feet.University of Maryland/Department of EnergyThe name stands for "resilient adaptive climate technology," because it is completely off-the-grid and prioritizes energy efficiency. Its shape and design can also be customized.
The living room and kitchen features an open layout.University of Maryland/Department of Energy
Down the hall, there is a living wall, which can grow leafy greens in nutrient-rich water. The plants are automatically watered through the bottom of the pot, using weather predictions and soil moisture as a guide. Any unused water is automatically filtered and then fed through the system again.University of Maryland/Department of Energy
Inhabitants can control the growing trays, which are 3D-printed from recycled plastics, using a touchscreen panel on the wall.
"Conveniently located in the kitchen, residents can quickly harvest fresh garnishes and vegetables for whatever dish they may be preparing that night," the team wrote in an email.
On the roof, solar panels capture energy that is stored and used to power the home.University of Maryland/Department of Energy
A hidden mechanical room lets owners access wiring, hot water, and plumbing systems.
In addition to growing crops, the enclosed greenhouse has a system that can capture, store, and distribute warm air throughout the home during colder months.University of Maryland/Department of Energy
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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