As part of a pilot study at the Korea National University of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hanwha Group of South Korea today unveiled a two-part structure that employs solar power to maintain a controlled environment for the growth of bee populations (KNUAF).
The Solar Beehive comprises an intelligent inside beehive and an exterior structure that uses solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate electricity. The generated energy is utilized to monitor and control the temperature, humidity, water, and food inside the beehive and detect the presence of hornets and protect the bees. This beehive houses about 40,000 bees.
Lancaster University researchers discovered that the number of bees within a one-kilometre radius of a solar power plant was up to four times higher than in other agricultural lands. This is due to the numerous plant species that commonly grow near solar farms.
Honey bees are an essential element of the global ecology. Still, climate change has caused their populations and diversity to decline in many world regions.
Professor Hye-Kyung Kim of the KNUAF’s Department of Industrial Entomology remarked, “The Solar Beehive will efficiently raise the bee population and maintain the species since it can monitor bee growth in real-time and detect diseases and pests instantly.”