FIRST INDICATIONS CONCERNING A SOLAR MODULUS FOR PROTECTED CROPPING

Due to the current structural imbalance in the economies of the industrialized countries which has resulted from growing-up oil costs, the exploitation of alternative sources fo energy has become a most pressing problem.

Starting from these considerations, the Experiment Institute of Horticulture has undertaken to study the utilization of sunlight as a source of energy for protected cropping.

The main purpose of the experiment is to test the validity of using solar energy for greenhouse heating.

Working towards this goal, the Institute is now studying a solar modulus to be used in latitudes with high levels of solar radiation, to the best advantage — particularly — of forticulture.

The solar modulus for protected crops, which has been constructed under the experiment, includes: a couple of solar panels, 3.4 sq. m. large; a 200 l storage tank integrated by a pressure release vessel; auxiliary attachment; a 1 cu. m. plastic tunnel unit.

The installation has been designed for an energy requirement of 200 kg. cal../hour and has been calculated to raise temperature in the tunnel to an average 15°C at 41°30′ latitude.

Our first indications suggest that the system can be relied upon to provide a most profitable utilization of solar energy.

International Symposium on Vegetable Crops under Glass Protection

S. PORCELLI, F. COSMO

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1977.58.49