Articles
SHALLOW SOLAR PONDS TO HEAT GREENHOUSES
Article number
148_103
Pages
791 – 798
Language
Abstract
Under the auspecies of the California Energy Commission, a study has been undertaken by the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, to determine the technical and economic feasibility of applying the shallow solar pond concept to commercial greenhouses.
Utilizing computer simulation techniques, based on "design day" weather data, various combinations of existing greenhouse energy conservation methods with and without shallow solar ponds have been analyzed.
Analysis parameters include useful solar heat collected, auxilliary fuel requirements and cost, construction costs, tax benefits and incentives, inflation, discount rate and salvage value.
It has been determined that in Santa Maria for a double glazed greenhouse fitted with a single night shutter, a single glazed shallow pond and reflector consisting of 1/5th of the gross floor area of the greenhouse, can provide up to 77% of the total annual heat requirements at a favorable solar energy cost of $7.34/Bjewels.
Utilizing computer simulation techniques, based on "design day" weather data, various combinations of existing greenhouse energy conservation methods with and without shallow solar ponds have been analyzed.
Analysis parameters include useful solar heat collected, auxilliary fuel requirements and cost, construction costs, tax benefits and incentives, inflation, discount rate and salvage value.
It has been determined that in Santa Maria for a double glazed greenhouse fitted with a single night shutter, a single glazed shallow pond and reflector consisting of 1/5th of the gross floor area of the greenhouse, can provide up to 77% of the total annual heat requirements at a favorable solar energy cost of $7.34/Bjewels.
Authors
E.J. Carnegie, P.W. Niles, V.R. Walter
Keywords
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