Off Grid Greenhouse Inquiry [RE-wrenches]

[Roger DeNault]

Hydroponics automates the growing/ watering process and can provide ideal
micro/ macro nutrient mix and pH.  The requirement here may not be for
heating as much as supplemental lighting.
Roger
Solar Technologies

----- Original Message -----
From: "Lawrence Elliott" <larry at energyoutfitters.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 2:21 PM
Subject: Re: Off Grid Greenhouse Inquiry [RE-wrenches]


> Colin!
> If I understand correctly a hydroponic greenhouse uses allot of water.
> I would assume that the bulk of the energy needed is in the form of heat
> (read : above freezing temps) from fossil fuels with the balance being
> to ventilate primarily to keep temps down.
> I myself have a greenhouse that uses pex tubing buried in the soil that
> is heated by solar collectors.Using the el sid DC pump my power
> requirements are almost nil.And ventilation is needed only on a low
> level since I use shade cloth and keep the heat out in the first place.
>
> Would it be possible to use the water as both a heating source as well
> as a heat sink using active pumping and heat exchangers? Do the roots of
> the plants tolerate elevated temps?
> This would supply a source of stable heat and would also eliminate allot
> of the need to get rid of the heat in an inneficient "pumped air
> ventilation system"The water could be pumped into large flat heat
> exchangers that would expell the heat outside.
>
> >From my experience in heating in winter months I could not recommend the
> Thermomax more highly.
>
>
> Really never have understood the hydroponic thing though.
> Plants love soil. Isn't it  where they live most of their lives anyway.
>
> Larry Elliott
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Colin" <colin at positiveenergysolar.com>
> To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
> Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 1:57 PM
> Subject: Re: Off Grid Greenhouse Inquiry [RE-wrenches]
>
>
> > Wrenches, we need your help!
> >
> > Here's the situation:  a committed Off-grid client wants to run a home
> > hydroponic gardening business.  We have come down hard on the facts of
> load
> > reduction and urged him to look towards other passive alternatives to
> active
> > venting, heating and cooling, but sadly the issue is that this
> commercial
> > greenhouse, which he already owns was designed for a massive infusion
> of
> > fossil fuel energy.
> >
> > Our initial load analysis had a first round conservative estimate of
> about
> > 10 kilowatts of PV array.
> >
> > What we are looking for is a) good websites for off grid greenhouse
> and
> > gardening systems, equipment, education, etc.  and b) sources for
> efficient
> > dc fans, electric seedling warmers, and Thermofor vents.
> >
> > Any help would be very much appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> >
> > Colin Mitchell
> > Positive Energy
> > Santa Fe, NM
> >
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