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Solar Powered Greenhouses

Conference Paper · January 2011

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Solar Powered Greenhouses

Abstract

Sunlight is generally considered a plentiful resource; the exceptions highlight the importance of solar energy to agriculture.
Agriculture and horticulture seek to optimize the capture of solar energy in order to optimize the productivity of plants.
Greenhouses convert solar light to heat, enabling year-round production and the growth of specialty crops and other plants not
naturally suited to the local climate. Various strategies are commonly used to extend the spring and fall growing seasons by a few
weeks. An energy-efficient solar-heated greenhouse can provide an inexpensive and successful tool to fill the gap for farmers
with winter garden-envy. A variety of cold-hardy species, including vegetables, salad crops, restaurant garnishes, and fresh cut
flowers can be successfully and economically cultivated in a properly designed solar-heated winter greenhouse with little or no
added heat. Of course, one could preserve summer crops by canning and drying, but fresh vegetables in winter months would
make a healthy diet more likely. This study discusses basic principles of solar greenhouse design, as well as different construction
material options.

Keywords: Sunlight, Solar Powered Greenhouse, Agriculture, Construction material.

1. Introduction

Greenhouse is one of the most commonly passive solar energy applications. Greenhouses provide opportunities in
cold climates to grow food and horticultural products near to market, reducing the cost and fossil fuel use associated
with shipping. A greenhouse could be as simple as plastic films supported by wires, and yet it could help to raise the
inner temperature. Also in commercial applications, greenhouse technology has been proven to be economical
efficient in construction and operation [10].Worldwide, greenhouses are used to create a protected and controlled
environment to grow a wide range of crops in both mass production and small-scale local agriculture [7]. There are
nearly three million acres under greenhouse cover worldwide, with approximately 2.3 million of those in Asia;
490,000 in Europe; and only 30,640 in North America [8]. Most of the global acres are under plastic, rather than
glass.
Solar greenhouses are designed not only to collect solar energy during sunny days but also to store heat for use at
night or during periods when it is cloudy. They can either stand alone or be attached to houses or barns. A solar
greenhouse may be an underground pit, a shed-type structure, or a Quonset hut. Large-scale producers use free-
standing solar greenhouses, while attached structures are primarily used by home-scale growers. Passive solar
greenhouses are often good choices for small growers, because they are a cost-efficient way for farmers to extend the
growing season. In colder climates or in areas with long periods of cloudy weather, solar heating may need to be
supplemented with a gas or electric heating system to protect plants against extreme cold. Active solar greenhouses
use supplemental energy to move solar heated air or water from storage or collection areas to other regions of the
greenhouse [22].

2. Solar Greenhouse Design

Solar greenhouses differ from conventional greenhouses in the following four ways [4]:

- Have glazing oriented to receive maximum solar heat during the winter;
- Use heat storing materials to retain solar heat;
- Have large amounts of insulation where there is little or no direct sunlight;
- Use glazing material and glazing installation methods that minimize heat loss;
- Rely primarily on natural ventilation for summer cooling.

Attached solar greenhouses are lean-to structures that form a room jutting out from a house or barn. These structures
provide space for transplants, herbs, or limited quantities of food plants. These structures typically have a passive
solar design. Freestanding solar greenhouses are large enough for the commercial production of ornamentals,
vegetables, or herbs. There are two primary designs for freestanding solar greenhouses: the shed-type and the

E-mail: m88_gorjian@rocketmail.com

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Quonset hut. A shed-type solar greenhouse is oriented to have its long axis running from east to west. The south
facing wall is glazed to collect the optimum amount of solar energy, while the north-facing wall is well insulated to
prevent heat loss (Figure 1). This orientation is in contrast to that of a conventional greenhouse, which has its roof
running north-south to allow for uniform light distribution on all sides of the plants. To reduce the effects of poor
light distribution in an east-west oriented greenhouse, the north wall is covered or painted with reflective material
[22]. This type is inexpensive, but is only practical in warm climates. It is also susceptible to wind damage.

Figure 1. Shed-type solar greenhouse

Unlike the shed-type solar greenhouses, Quonset huts do not have an insulated north side. Solarization of these
structures involves practices that enhance the absorption and distribution of the solar heat entering them. This
typically involves the collection of solar heat in the soil beneath the floor, in a process called earth thermal storage
(ETS), as well as in other storage materials such as water or rocks. Insulation of the greenhouse wall is important for
minimizing heat loss. Freestanding Quonset greenhouses are rounded, symmetrical structures (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Quonset solar greenhouse

3. Solar Heat Absorption

The two most critical factors affecting the amount of solar heat absorbed by a greenhouse are:
F The position or location of the greenhouse in relation to the sun;
F The type of glazing material used.

3.1 Solar orientation

Since the energy of the sun is strongest on the southern side of a building, glazing for solar greenhouses should
ideally face true south. However, if trees, mountains, or other buildings block the path of the sun when the
greenhouse is in a true south orientation, an orientation within 15° to 20° of true south will provide about 90% of the
solar capture of a true south orientation. The latitude of your location and the location of potential obstructions may
also require that you adjust the orientation of your greenhouse slightly from true south to obtain optimal solar energy
gain [22]. Some growers recommend orienting the greenhouse somewhat to the southeast to get the best solar gain in
the spring, especially if the greenhouse is used primarily to grow transplants [25].

3.2 Glazing

In addition to north-south orientation, greenhouse glazing should be properly sloped to absorb the greatest amount of
the sun's heat [24]. Glazing materials would determine the performance of the greenhouse significantly. In addition,
good plant growth requires glazing materials to allow a natural spectrum of photo synthetically active radiation
(PAR) enters the greenhouse. Many new greenhouse glazing materials have emerged in recent decades. Glass is an
excellent material when its high initial cost can be tolerated. It has a life of twenty five years or longer, has low
maintenance requirements and transmits light well. It is heavy and requires strong framing with large supports that
block light. Synthetic sheets and films have replaced glass as the glazing material used in most greenhouses. The

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most widely used material is polyethylene film. This material is low in cost, lightweight, easy to apply in wide
sheets, and has a high light transmittance but has a very short life. Regular grades have a lifetime of only nine
months. Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) sheets are used widely for glazing material. They are relatively low in
cost, but more expensive than polyethylene. They are lightweight and impact resistant compared to glass. FRP sheets
degrade when exposed to ultraviolet light. Plastics now are the dominant type of glazing used in greenhouses, with
the weather ability of these materials being enhanced by ultraviolet radiation degradation inhibitors, infrared
radiation (IR) absorbency and unique radiation transmission properties [14].
While most of the greenhouses are designed by using the winter or spring ambient conditions, the problem of
overheating may be occurring during the summer seasons. With the more highly advanced glazing, overheating can
even occur in the winter during periods of sunny weather. Ways of minimizing the heat gain through glazing in
periods of possible overheating are needed, and indeed these have been and are under development. ‘Smart’ glazing
can adjust their optical and thermal properties according to the need.

4. Solar Heat Storage

For solar greenhouses to remain warm during cool nights or on cloudy days, solar heat that enters on sunny days
must be stored within the greenhouse for later use. The most common method for storing solar energy is to place
rocks, concrete, or water in direct line with the sunlight to absorb its heat [4]. Brick or concrete-filled cinder block
walls at the back (north side) of the greenhouse can also provide heat storage. However, only the outer four inches of
thickness of this storage material effectively absorbs heat. Medium to dark-colored ceramic tile flooring can also
provide some heat storage. Walls not used for heat absorption should be light colored or reflective to direct heat and
light back into the greenhouse and to provide a more even distribution of light for the plants [23].

4.1 Storage Materials

Approximately three square feet of four-inch thick brick or cinder block wall is required for each square foot of
south-facing glass [23]. The amount of heat storage material required also depends on whether the solar greenhouse
is used for extending the growing season or growing plants in it year-round. For season extension in cold climates,
you will need 2 ½ gallons of water per square foot of glazing will be need [22]. If water is used as heat storage
material, ordinary 55-gallon drums painted a dark, non-reflective color work well. Smaller-sized containers, such as
milk jugs or glass bottles are more effective than 55-gallon drums in providing heat storage in areas with frequent
cloud. The smaller-size container has a higher ratio of surface area, resulting in more rapid absorption of heat when
the sun does shine [20]. Unfortunately, plastic containers degrade after two or three years in direct sunlight. Clear
glass containers provide the advantages of capturing heat better than dark metal containers and not degrading, but
they can be easily broken [3].

4.1.1 Tromb walls

"Trombe walls" are an innovative method for heat absorption and storage. These are low walls placed inside the
greenhouse near the south-facing windows. They absorb heat on the front (south-facing) side of the wall and then
radiate this heat into the greenhouse through the back (north-facing) side of the wall (Figure 3). A Trombe wall
consists of an 8 to 16 inch thick masonry wall coated with a dark, heat-absorbing material and faced with a single or
double layer of glass placed from ¾ inch to 6 inch away from the masonry wall to create a small airspace. Solar heat
passes through the glass and is absorbed by the dark surface. This heat is stored in the wall, where it is conducted
slowly inward through the masonry. By applying a sheet of metal foil or other reflective surface to the outer face of
the wall, solar heat absorption can be increased by 30-60% (depending on the climate) while decreasing the potential
for heat loss through outward radiation [17,2]. "Water walls" are a variation of the Trombe wall. Instead of a
masonry wall, water-filled containers are placed in line with the sun's rays between the glazing and the greenhouse
working space. The water can be in hard plastic tubes or other sturdy containers, and the top of the wall can serve as
a bench [11].

Figure 3. Trombe Figure 4. Water wall

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4.1.2 Phase-change materials

Instead of water or rocks for heat storage, "phase change materials" can be used. While phase change materials are
usually more expensive than conventional materials, they are 5 to 14 times better able to store heat than water or
rocks. Thus, they are useful when space is limited. Phase change materials include [5, 12]:
1. Disodium phosphate dodecahydrate;
2. Sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate;
3. Paraffin;
4. Glauber's salt (sodium sulphate dcahydrate);
5. Calcium chloride hexahydrate;
6. Fatty acids.
They absorb and store heat when they change from solid to liquid phase, then they release this heat when they
change back into a solid phase [5]. Calcium chloride hexahydrate has a heat storing capacity 10 times that of water
[6]. These materials are usually contained in sealed tubes, with several tubes being required to provide sufficient heat
storage. Because of the ability of phase change materials to absorb high quantities of heat, they are also useful in
moderating greenhouse temperatures in the summer. Most of the research on the use of phase-change materials for
greenhouses has been conducted in Europe, Israel, Japan, and Australia. In Israel, phase-change materials were
incorporated into greenhouse glazing, which increased heat capture and retention, but reduced the transparency of
the glazing on cloudy days when the phase change material did not become liquid [16]. Phase-change drywall,
currently under research, incorporates phase-change materials inside common wallboard to increase its heat storage
capacity and could replace heavier, more expensive, conventional thermal masses used in passive solar space heating
[1].

5. Active Solar Greenhouses

An active method for solar heating greenhouses uses "subterranean heating" or "earth thermal storage solar
heating". This method involves forcing solar heated air, water, or phase change materials through pipes buried in the
floor. If hot air is used for subsurface heating, inexpensive flexible drainage or sewage piping about 10 centimeters
(4 inches) in diameter can be used for the piping. Although more expensive, corrugated drainage tubing provides
more effective heating than smooth tubing, since it allows for greater interaction between the heat in the tube and the
ground. The surface area of the piping should be equal to the surface area of the floor of the greenhouse. Once
installed, these pipes should be covered with a porous flooring material that allows for water to enter into the soil
around them, since moist soil conducts heat more effectively than dry soil. The system works by drawing hot air
collected in the peak of the roof down through pipes and into the buried tubing. The hot air in the tubes warms the
soil during the day. At night, cool air from the greenhouse is pumped through the same tubing, causing the warm soil
to heat this air, which then heats the greenhouse [18, 21].

6. Wall and Floor Insulation

Good insulation helps to retain the solar energy absorbed by thermal mass materials. Keeping heat in requires
insulating all areas of the greenhouse that are not glazed or used for heat absorption. Seal doors and vents with
weather stripping. Install glazing snugly within casements. Polyurethane foams, polystyrene foams, and fiberglass
batts are all good insulating materials. But these materials need to be kept dry to function effectively [16]. A vapor
barrier of heavy-duty polyethylene film placed between the greenhouse walls and the insulation will keep the
greenhouse well insulated. Unglazed areas should be insulated to specifications of the region. For example,
insulation R-value R-19 is specified for greenhouses in Illinois and in Missouri, while R-21 is recommended for
walls in New Mexico [17].
Richard Nelson of the Solaroofgarden organization developed an innovative way to insulate greenhouse walls in a
Quonset hut style greenhouse. This system involves constructing a greenhouse with a double layer of plastic sheeting
as glazing. Bubble machines (such as are used to create bubbles at parties) are installed in the peak of the greenhouse
between the two layers of plastic. At least two generators should be installed, at either end of the greenhouse. During
the winter, the bubble machines face north and blow bubbles into space between two sheets of plastic on the north
side of the greenhouse to provide R-20 or higher insulation for northern winters. During the summer, the bubble
machines can be turned to face south to provide shading against high heat [19].

6.1. External Insulation

You can also insulate your greenhouse by burying part of the base in the ground or building it into the side of a
south-facing hill [5]. Straw bales or similar insulating material can also be placed along the unglazed outside walls to

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reduce heat loss from the greenhouse [9]. Underground or bermed greenhouses provide excellent insulation against
both cold winter weather and the heat of summer. They also provide good protection against windy conditions [13].
Potential problems with an underground greenhouse are wet conditions from the water table seeping through the soil
on the floor and the entry of surface water through gaps in the walls at the ground level. To minimize the risk of
water rising through the floor, the greenhouse must be built in an area where the bottom is at least five feet above the
water table. To prevent water from entering the greenhouse from the outside, dig drainage ditches around the
greenhouse to direct water away from the walls. Also, the walls with waterproof material such as plastic or a fine
clay must be sealed.

7. Greenhouse curtains

Greenhouse curtains limit the amount of heat lost through greenhouse glazing during the night and on cloudy days.
By installing greenhouse insulation sheets made from two-inch thick batts of polystyrene, you can reduce by almost
90% the heat that would otherwise be lost through the glazing. For a small greenhouse where labor is not a large
constraint, you can manually install the polystyrene sheets at night and remove them in the morning. Magnetic clips
or Velcro fasteners will facilitate the installation (Figure 5) [4]. Alternatively, thermal blankets made of polyethylene
film, foambacked fiberglass, or foil-faced polyethylene bubble material can be installed. These blankets are
supported on wire tracks and can be raised or lowered using pulleys. While greenhouse curtains composed of
thermal blankets are usually opened and shut manually, a few manufactures have motorized roll-up systems that
store the blanket near the greenhouse peak.

Figure 5. Solar greenhouse with solar curtains, water wall, and water heat storage on the north wall.

8. Ventilation

A building designed to collect heat when temperatures are cold also needs to be able to vent heat when temperatures
are warm. Air exchange is also critical in providing plants with adequate levels of carbon dioxide and controlling
humidity. Because of the concentrated air use by plants, greenhouses require approximately two air exchanges per
minute (in contrast to the one-half air exchange per minute recommended for homes). To determine the flow
requirements for your greenhouse, multiply the volume of the greenhouse by two to get cubic feet of air exchange
per minute, which is the rate used in determining the capacity of commercial evaporative coolers. Roof ridge and
sidewall vents provide natural ventilation. The sidewall vents allow cool air to flow into the sides of the greenhouse,
while ridge vents allow the rising hot air to escape. Some wind is necessary for this type of ventilation system to
function effectively. On still, windless days, fans are necessary to move air through the greenhouse. The area of the
venting should be equal to between 1/5 to 1/6 of the greenhouse floor area [4].
Solar chimneys are passive solar collectors attached to the highest point on the greenhouse and are combined with
vents or openings on either end of the greenhouse. The chimney has an inlet that draws warm air from inside the
greenhouse and an outlet that discharges it to the outdoors. To enhance solar gain inside the chimney and increase
airflow, the inner surface of the chimney stack is glazed or painted black. A ventilator turbine added to the top of the
chimney provides an additional force to pull warm air up from inside the greenhouse [15]. Thermal storage materials
are effective in keeping a greenhouse cool in summer as well as keeping it warm in winter. Since these materials
absorb heat during the day, less heat radiates within the greenhouse when the sun is shining. When the sun goes
down, heat released from the thermal storage materials can be vented out of the greenhouse [21]. Removing external
shading can also decrease heat build-up within the greenhouse.

9. Conclusion

Solar greenhouse is one of the most successful solar energy applications not only in terms of its technical issues but
also its economical payback period. This report has illustrated and discussed some of the key components and design

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issues of a greenhouse. The appearance of greenhouses may look very similar, but the scenario behind may be very
different. The glazing of a greenhouse is the prime component in gaining the solar energy, while the glazing is
supported on the structural frame. The profile of the glazing may vary from different locations and situations. The
main focus is how to fully utilize the incident solar radiation while minimizing the heat losses from greenhouse to
the ambient. In order to better control the indoor temperature, vents, heating and cooling systems, ventilations,
shadings, curtains, insulations and etc may be installed. Much research and development is being carried out in
optimizing the design of greenhouses and its components.

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