Solar Energy Delivering Greenhouse With an Integrated Nir Filter

Abstract

The scope of this investigation is the design and development of a new type of greenhouse with an integrated filter for rejecting near infrared radiation (NIR) and a solar energy delivery system. Cooled greenhouses are an important issue to cope with the combination of high global radiation and high outdoor temperatures. As a first measure, the spectral selective cover material, which prevents the entrance of NIR radiation, is investigated. The special spectral selective properties of these materials have to block up to 50% of the solar energy outside the greenhouse, which will reduce the needed cooling capacity. The second measure is the integration of a solar energy system. When the NIR reflecting coating is designed as a parabolic or circular shaped reflector integrated in the greenhouse, the reflected solar energy of a PhotoVoltaic (PV) cell in the focus point delivers electric energy. With a ray tracing computer program the geometry of the reflector was optimally designed with respect to the maximum power level. The PV cells mounted in the focal point require cooling due to the high heat load of the concentrated radiation (concentration factor of 30-40). The properties of different materials, Ge, GaSb, CIS and Si cells were investigated to find the optimal cell for this application. All parts are integrated in a greenhouse structure with a size of about 100m 2 .

Greenhouse Engineering: New Technologies and Approaches

“…Improving the energy efficiency of greenhouse crop production has been a topic of research for many decades in The Netherlands. Focus lies on improving the insulation of greenhouse construction whilst maintaining high light transmission (e.g., Sonneveld and Swinkels, 2005), the development of energy neutral and semi-closed greenhouses (e.g., De Zwart and Ooster et al, 2008b), energy producing greenhouses (e.g., Sonneveld et al, 2008) and use of geothermal energy (e.g., Ooster et al, 2008c). These lines of research will continue.…”

Analysis of internal shading degree to a prototype of dynamics photovoltaic greenhouse through simulation software

“…In recent years, many researchers have studied the use of photovoltaic panels to provide electricity for the air conditioning of the greenhouse (AlIbrahim et al, 2006;Rocamora and Tripanagno stopoulos, 2006;AlShamiry et al, 2007;Campiotti et al, 2008;Sonneveld et al, 2008;Nayak and Tiwari, 2009;Yano et al, 2009;Ganguly et al, 2010;Sonneveld et al, 2010aSonneveld et al, , 2010bYano et al, 2010;Sonneveld et al, 2011;Lopez-Marin et al, 2012;Kadowaki et al, 2012). The results obtained are often favourable to the production of energy from photovoltaic elements but the shade created by them inside the structure appears to be excessive for a normal development of agriculture.…”