Do you grow plants in a greenhouse? If you do, are you seeking a cleaner alternative than the conventional heating sources available in the market? If you are, solar heating for a greenhouse with solar panels is right up your alley!
What is a Solar Greenhouse Heater?
Greenhouses require an efficient heating system to maintain an optimal temperature for plant growth. Traditionally, electricity and fossil fuels (such as natural gas and propane) are used as heaters for this purpose. After all, they are clean forms of energy that do not produce any pollutants.
However, with the advent of more sustainable and environmentally friendly heat sources, solar heating for a greenhouse is a much more promising option. A solar greenhouse heater is a system that harnesses the sun’s natural energy and converts it to heat energy.
In a greenhouse, this heat energy makes the plants thrive all year round. Wintry weather especially demands such a foolproof mechanism to protect plants from the cold. Further, solar heating offers greater sustenance and is more cost-effective than conventional heating methods.
Types of Solar Heating Systems
Solar heating for a greenhouse employs both active (using pumps or fans) and passive (using natural convection) solar heating systems. Though differing in their process, their final result is the same - circulating heat energy from the sun to the greenhouse.
Solar Air Heaters
Solar air heaters collect the sun’s heat energy, use it to heat the greenhouse’s air, and then circulate that heated air throughout the greenhouse through a fan. It is a mechanism that gives your plants a warm summer breeze, even in winter. Solar air heaters offer an impeccably efficient performance as an active solar heating system.
Solar Water Heaters
Solar water heaters work the same way as solar air heaters; just their mode of heat transfer varies. As their name suggests, solar water heaters use water sources to distribute heat throughout the greenhouse. The heat energy harnessed through the sun is transferred to water stored in a tank. This heated water is then circulated in the greenhouse, providing a nice, warm water bath for your plants. The solar water heater is also an active mode of heating system.
Thermal Mass
Thermal mass is a passive heating process; thus, it is less efficient than solar air and water heating systems. Nevertheless, it has its importance. So, the thermal mass procedure occurs like this: During the day, objects such as water containers, stones, and concrete absorb heat energy from the sun. At night, the heat is released in the greenhouse. Therefore, thermal mass plays a pivotal role in maintaining optimal temperature at night when the sun is no longer available for active heat systems.
What To Consider When Installing a Solar Heating for a Greenhouse?
Solar heating is a crucial component of any greenhouse; you must install it to produce fruitful results from your labor. Solar heating ensures the proper growth of plants without any inconvenient disruptions due to weather changes.
However, in order to set up solar heating for a greenhouse, you must bear in mind the following aspects:
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Size of Your Greenhouse
The size of your greenhouse greatly affects the type of solar system you purchase, its potency, and the number of solar systems you require. For instance, a small-sized greenhouse will make do with one solar system. However, a large greenhouse will demand a more potent solar heating system, or perhaps even multiple solar heating systems, to efficiently heat up the complete space.
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Location and Climate
The location of your greenhouse and the climate pertaining to that area is another significant aspect to consider. In the particular site where your greenhouse is set up, assess the trajectory of the sun rays and their duration. This is because you will need to install your solar systems based on that information. Only then can the solar system work proficiently and efficiently.
Secondly, the climate determines the type of solar system you need. For example, if your greenhouse is set up in a colder region, you will require solar heating systems designed to operate in cold conditions. Only they can give you the successful result you are hoping for. Similarly is the case for greenhouses in hot regions; solar systems manufactured to work efficiently in hot conditions will give you the best outcome.
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Insulation
How you insulate your greenhouse is also important. Solar heating systems will release the heat inside the greenhouse. But what then? Without adequate insulation around the greenhouse, the heat will be lost after a while or at night when there is no sun. Therefore, properly insulate your greenhouse to retain the heat released.
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Budget
Last but not least - your budget. Perhaps the most important element! After all, you are the one doing the purchasing (no one else!) with your own money (no one else’s!). Therefore, you need to be very clear about the price range you can afford. The prices for solar heating systems can easily range from a few hundred dollars to a whopping several thousand dollars. Set boundaries for yourself before going out to purchase.
Another factor to keep in mind is that solar heating for a greenhouse is the initial investment cost, which is high. The return on investment that you get from your savings afterward is significantly huge. Of course, only when you buy an efficient solar system initially.
Pros and Cons of Solar Greenhouse Heaters
Like everything else, solar heating for a greenhouse has its own perks and drawbacks.
Pros
Solar heating for a greenhouse has the following advantages:
- Environmentally friendly: Unlike the traditional methods of heating (fossil fuels), solar heating does not emit a carbon footprint. Solar heating systems are, hence, eco-friendly.
- Cost-effective: In the long run, the costs are significantly reduced as solar systems are easy to install and maintain; maintenance costs are not high.
- Sustainable: Fossil fuels are a depleting source of heat. On the other hand, solar heating is a renewable form of energy, thus offering a sustenance that no other form of energy offers. After all, solar systems make use of the sun, our trusty and reliable energy source.
Cons
Despite having brilliant benefits, solar heating for a greenhouse is not without some potential weaknesses.
- High initial investment: Solar heating systems do not require high maintenance costs; nevertheless, their initial investment cost is substantially high.
- Weather dependent: Sun is a renewable source of energy. However, it is not available at night and in cloudy weather. Solar systems cannot work during these times.
- Space requirement: Setting up solar heating systems requires ample space in the greenhouse.
Designing Your Solar Heating System
When designing your solar heating for a greenhouse, the following elements need to be kept in mind:
Orientation
You must make sure to place your solar systems such that they face the sun's rays. Only then can they, to the best of their abilities, utilize the sun's heat energy and convert it to solar energy for your greenhouse.
Storage Mechanism
If you haven’t thought about it before, you should start thinking now. Along with your solar system, install a storage mechanism such as batteries to store the maximum amount of heat energy. It will come to use in times of need.
For batteries, the most recommended choice by buyers is the BLUETTI AC300 Home Battery Backup.
Though it is a home backup option, you can very well use it for your greenhouse solar heaters. It inverts power to AC Pure Sine Wave, has 3,072Wh of energy, and a high-quality battery of LiFePO4 type. The battery can be charged in seven ways, with solar giving you the best result. How awesome is that!
Integration
You should connect your solar system to fans (for solar air heaters) and pumps (for solar water heaters) so that they can effectively circulate the sun’s heat energy throughout the greenhouse.
Portable Solar Panel Recommend
Do you want us to recommend solar panel options? Well, who better to recommend than BLUETTI? There are two of BLUETTI’s solar panels that you will absolutely adore - the PV350 and the PV420.
BLUETTI PV350 Solar Panel
The BLUETTI PV350 Solar Panel is practically your portable sun-catcher. It is durable, user-friendly, and can be integrated with other BLUETTI products comfortably.
Key features
- It has a high conversion rate, i.e., it can efficiently convert sunlight into usable energy.
- It is extremely durable and can withstand rain.
- You can set it up effortlessly without tearing your hair off.
- It can be easily folded and thus allows for easy portability.
- It is compatible with other BLUETTI batteries, such as Portable Power Station AC300 and AC200P; therefore, you can easily set them up with it.
BLUETTI PV420 Solar Panel
Just like the BLUETTI PV350 Solar Panel, the BLUETTI PV420 Solar Panel is another equally tempting device to purchase. It is durable, easily portable, and has a conversion rate of 23.4%.
Key features
- It has a conversion rate of up to 23.4%, so it can efficiently convert sunlight to heat energy.
- You can effortlessly set it up without worrying about any difficult setup procedure.
- It is durable (due to the ETFE coating), even in rainy weather.
- It is easy to fold and, thus, easily portable.
- Your devices can powered very quickly with its 420W power.
- You can easily attach it to other BLUETTI power stations and batteries, such as AC300 and AC200P.
Final Thoughts
Solar heating for a greenhouse is an imperative component to have in your arsenal. You can have either solar air or water heating system. However, you must consider the space of your greenhouse, its location, climate, and your budget before buying one. When purchasing, the BLUETTI PV350 and PV420 are impeccable choices buyers recommend.
