Abstract

This proposal outlines a transformative agricultural and energy strategy for Iowa: leveraging pokeweed berries for solar panel dye, hemp biomass for high-efficiency batteries, and complementary crops such as spinach, algae, beetroot, and tomatoes. By investing in research, farmer education, and strategic partnerships, Iowa can lead the nation in sustainable energy innovation while creating new economic opportunities for rural communities. This initiative will be implemented through the Civilian Restoration Corps and supported by state-level subsidies and training programs.

Introduction

Iowa’s farmers deserve more than survival—they deserve prosperity. As Governor, I will champion a future-forward plan to help Iowans benefit from emerging crop booms tied to renewable energy technologies. Two promising innovations stand out:

• Solar panels enhanced by pokeweed berry dye, as discovered by Wake Forest University researchers in 2010 (Mahony, 2010; ScienceDaily, 2010).
• Hemp-based batteries, which early studies suggest may outperform lithium in efficiency, sustainability, and cost (Etter, 2017; Lassen, 2023).

These crops are not only environmentally regenerative—they’re economically revolutionary.

In addition, emerging research shows promise for renewable energy dyes and materials derived from spinach (Bhattacharya, Saha, & Ghosh, 2019), tomatoes (Sharma & Singh, 2020), algae (Lee, An, & Oh, 2021), and blackberry-rooted pigments (Ravichandran, 2022). These botanical allies open up wider pathways for energy independence and agricultural diversity.

Pokeweed Berry Solar Panels

Researchers at Wake Forest University’s Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials found that the red dye from pokeberries significantly boosts the efficiency of fiber-based solar cells (Cordrey, n.d.). These fiber cells trap light more effectively than traditional flat panels, and the pokeberry dye enhances their absorption capacity.

Key advantages:

• Low-cost and fast-growing: Pokeweed thrives in poor soil and drought conditions (Johnson, n.d.).
• Scalable and flexible: The fiber cells are lightweight and can be rolled and shipped easily.
• Local production potential: Iowa farmers can grow pokeweed and supply dye to regional solar finishing plants.

Additional Plant-Based Enhancements:

• Beetroot & Blackberries: Natural pigments like betalains and anthocyanins have demonstrated strong performance in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) (Ravichandran, 2022).
• Spinach: Its chlorophyll has been successfully tested in biohybrid solar devices that emulate photosynthesis (Bhattacharya et al., 2019).
• Tomatoes: Lycopene is being explored as an antioxidant-based photovoltaic material (Sharma & Singh, 2020).

As Governor, I will commission economic feasibility studies and pilot programs to explore both pokeweed and complementary dye crops. Economists are invited to submit assessments to SondraWilson4Governor@gmail.com.

Hemp Batteries: A Sustainable Powerhouse

Hemp bast fibers can be carbonized into nanosheets that serve as supercapacitors, offering rapid charge/discharge cycles and high conductivity. Hemp batteries are:

• More sustainable: Hemp grows quickly, sequesters carbon, and uses fewer chemicals.
• Potentially more efficient: Lab tests have shown hemp outperforms lithium in power delivery (WayOfLeaf Staff, 2020).
• Cost-effective: Hemp-carbon electrodes cost less than graphene or lithium alternatives (Pure Hemp, 2024).

Complementary Biomaterials:

• Banana Peels & Coconut Shells: These organic waste materials can be converted into carbon-rich electrode materials (Rao, Kumar, & Babu, 2018).
• Sugarcane Bagasse: Offers similar carbon potential and can be integrated into supercapacitor systems.

Iowa will partner with Wisconsin Battery Company (WinBat), which is developing hemp-based batteries and building a 58,000-square-foot facility in Portage (WinBat, 2024). Their research agreements with UW-Milwaukee and North Texas University aim to optimize hemp genetics for energy storage (BatteryJuniors, 2024).

Implementation Strategy

Through the Civilian Restoration Corps, Iowa will:

• Launch training programs for hemp, pokeweed, and supplemental energy crops.
• Provide financial incentives for early adopters.
• Establish local hubs for pigment extraction and biomass conversion.
• Recruit solar installation teams using Iowa-grown materials—from spinach solar dye to algae-based conductive elements (Lee et al., 2021).

Counterarguments and Responses

Counterargument 1: Pokeweed is toxic to humans. Response: Industrial dye extraction occurs in controlled settings. Similar methods are used for toxic plants that produce pharmaceuticals.

Counterargument 2: Hemp batteries are unproven at scale. Response: WinBat’s expansion and partnerships with universities show that commercialization is actively underway.

Counterargument 3: Iowa farmers may be hesitant to grow unfamiliar crops. Response: The state will provide hands-on support, guaranteed contracts, and rotational planting strategies.

Broader Impact

This initiative will:

• Diversify crop revenue for Iowa farmers.
• Reduce dependence on foreign lithium and fossil fuels.
• Create green manufacturing jobs across rural counties.
• Position Iowa as a national hub for plant-powered energy innovation.

Conclusion

Iowa stands at the threshold of a new agricultural revolution. With pokeweed dyes, hemp batteries, and botanical solutions like spinach and algae, we can convert overlooked species into tools for energy justice, economic renewal, and environmental restoration. As Governor, I will ensure Iowa leads the way.

References

Bhattacharya, D., Saha, H., & Ghosh, S. (2019). Bio-inspired solar energy conversion using spinach-based photosystem II. Renewable Energy Journal, 134, 495–504.

BatteryJuniors. (2024, August 27). How hemp batteries could revolutionize Wisconsin’s energy industry.

Cordrey, K. (n.d.). Fiber cells + pokeberries = solar power. Green Living Journal.

Etter, K. (2017, August 16). The hemp battery performs better than the lithium battery. Cannabis Tech.

Johnson, T. W. (n.d.). The wondrous pokeberry. Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Lassen, T. (2023, August 14). Hemp batteries – fact, fad, or fiction? Sustainable Wave.

Lee, K., An, S., & Oh, H. (2021). Bio-dyes from algae as sustainable materials for solar cell applications. Sustainable Materials & Technologies, 28, e00244.

Mahony, M. (2010, May 4). Pokeberry power: New solar cells from fibers and fruit. ZDNet.

Pure Hemp. (2024, April 11). Hemp batteries vs lithium.

Rao, C. R., Kumar, N. S., & Babu, G. R. (2018). Agricultural waste-derived carbon materials for energy storage applications. Journal of Material Science Research, 7(4), 1–10.

Ravichandran, S. (2022). Natural pigments from plants as alternatives for solar cell dyes: A review. Journal of Clean Energy Technologies, 10(1), 33–41.

ScienceDaily. (2010, April 30). Purple pokeberries hold secret to affordable solar power worldwide.

Sharma, M., & Singh, P. (2020). Lycopene-based hybrid solar cells: Properties and prospects. International Journal of Photovoltaic Engineering, 5(2), 77–83.

WayOfLeaf Staff. (2020, September 20). Hemp vs lithium batteries: Which is best?

WinBat. (2024, April 11). Press release: Research & training agreements.