Solar greenhouses can extend the growing season for gardeners
For people who love to garden, the growing season can often be too short, or unpredictable to achieve their goals of fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables. But, with solar greenhouses, you can grow green year-round!
A protected canopy, controlled humidity and temperatures create a micro-climate that is perfect for your gardening dreams. The primary difference between an “ordinary” greenhouse and a solar greenhouse is in design. All greenhouses absorb solar energy. But solar greenhouses can also store collected solar energy as heat for use overnight or when it is overcast.
This requires a heat sink to be included in your solar greenhouse design. As sunlight passes through greenhouse windows, the heat energy may be stored in water, concrete, rocks, etc. Then, when the sun goes down, stored heat is released back into the controlled atmosphere to keep temperatures constant.
There are two main types of solar greenhouses: passive solar greenhouses and solar electric greenhouses that use photovoltaic (PV) panels to power heating systems or solar thermal panels to heat water. Generally speaking, the average homeowner or hobby gardener will go for a passive solar design. Not only are they inexpensive and easy to install (see the video above), but the return on investment can be almost immediate.
Solar panels are more costly, and generally make sense for a commercial solar power greenhouse that houses higher-value crops or maintains a larger stock of plants for sale. Of course renewable energy rebates and tax incentives can be used to defray initial costs of a PV solar or solar thermal panel system.
A passive solar greenhouse (image from passivesolargreenhouse.com)
Whether you decide to start small with a passive solar greenhouse design, or jump right into a larger-scale commercial operation with solar panels, be sure to consider the following factors: site location for positioning of the greenhouse to minimize shading, operational costs (water, fertilizer, compost, and any additional energy needs for heating or cooling if solar panels will not be used), crop costs (both wholesale and retail if you will be selling plants raised in the greenhouse), energy conservation measures, maintenance, floor heating systems, insulation, and more.
With some advance planning, a solar greenhouse design can allow you to grow green year-round. Whether you are enjoying the bounty of your own harvest, or operating a commercial nursery, a solar power greenhouse is an efficient way to extend the growing season.
For more information, be sure to check out the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service and Passive Solar Greenhouse.com.
Tags: gardening greenhouse, greenhouse solar, grow green, passive solar greenhouse, solar greenhouse, solar greenhouse design, solar greenhouses, solar power greenhouse
March 24th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Thoroughly enjoyed your video. Due to the economy and the bleak future of gas and oil, my husband and I are turning toward being more self-sufficient for our family. We are very interested in starting a solar greenhouse, something used all year round for fruits, veggies and spices. If you could please give us some direction on where to begin with building and some recommendations of reputable solar greenhouse manufacturers in the North Eastern Pennsylvania Area (the Poconos)we would greatly appreciate it. Also if you could give us any added advice or tips on what to look for or watch to out for. How long did it take to build your greenhouse? Just excellent finished! I am sure a labor of love.