Glass solar breeding greenhouse

Are solar greenhouses a viable alternative to horticultural production?

Solar greenhouses currently constitute the most energy-intensive branch of agriculture; the energy inputs (fuels and electricity) to meet the heat needs of greenhouses have a major impact on the cost and environmental sustainability of horticultural and floricultural production.

Do solar greenhouses perform well under different climate scenarios?

Solar greenhouses are currently the most energy-intensive agricultural sector. In literature, there is no worldwide mapping of solar greenhouse performance under different climate scenarios. This study analyzes the performance of a Venlo solar greenhouse for 48 localities around the world.

How to design a solar greenhouse?

The design of solar greenhouses is a challenging task and requires a thorough study of the annual climatic and microclimatic parameters of the places where the greenhouses are built, determining the shape, orientation, and materials of which the envelope is composed, even before installing an air conditioning system.

Do solar greenhouses overheat?

In general, the solar greenhouses suffer more from overheating, implying that in addition to the choice of the best glass, it is necessary to combine optimal scheduling of the openings for natural ventilation. In this case study, for indoor temperatures above 25 °C, the openings are always open.