A Time Dependent Analysis of Greenhouse Thermal Environment

Abstract

ABSTRACT RISING fuel prices are having a significant effect on further development of the greenhouse industry. This has directed research efforts along two paths: (a) improving the greenhouse structure to reduce energy losses, while maintaining a desirable growth environ-ment; and (b) developing alternate energy sources such as solar, wind, waste heat from power plants, and geo-thermal energy to meet greenhouse heating demand. Although a number of greenhouse thermal environ-ment models (analytical and numerical) are available at present, each model is restrictive in its applicability. A more general time-dependent analysis of greenhouse thermal environment is desirable to detect and control thermal stress on plants, to design so as to reduce heat-ing and cooling requirements, and to consider intermit-tent sources of heating and cooling such as solar and wind.