Sundrop Farms pioneering solar-powered greenhouse to grow food without fresh water

Sundrop Farms head grower
Adrian Simkins says the
tomato project is a world-first.

A groundbreaking greenhouse that relies on sunlight and seawater to grow tomatoes officially opens next week, 300 kilometres north of Adelaide.

The company Sundrop Farms spent several years developing the idea at a pilot plant on the outskirts of Port Augusta, before building a commercial facility that is 100 times larger.

"This is a very special project," head grower Adrian Simkins said.

The 20-hectare futuristic-looking facility includes a field of more than 23,000 mirrors that capture the sunlight and direct it to a central receiver at the top of a 127-metre "power" tower.

Read the ABC story - “Sundrop Farms pioneering solar-powered greenhouse to grow food without fresh water.”