Design of a low-cost active and sustainable autonomous system for heating agricultural greenhouses: A case study on strawberry (fragaria vulgaris) growth

Abstract

The utilization of solar energy is a vital strategy in the agricultural sector's efforts to address and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This renewable resource can greatly decrease the industry's carbon footprint and play a significant role in combating climate change. In this context, this study examines an automatic solar system installed in a south-facing agricultural greenhouse and its effect on the growth of strawberry plants in winter. Heat is transferred from the environment during the day to the structure at night using this technology, which uses water flowing in a closed circuit that is put on the greenhouse roof. This system includes a battery, a photovoltaic solar panel to power some accessories, a copper coil placed within double glass on the greenhouse's roof, a water pump circulator, and storage tanks. Two greenhouses—one experimental with a solar heating system and the other reference without one—were used for the comparative experimental investigation. Both greenhouses are constructed on the terrace of Mohammed V University's Solar Energy and Environment Laboratory in Rabat, Morocco. An environmental monitoring system was built to automatically measure environmental parameters. Real-time data visualization and analysis may be done from any place via a website with the Internet of Things integrated into the system. The greenhouse's microclimate was improved by this low-cost technology, which also allowed for winter heating. Compared to the control greenhouse, this improvement allowed for a 17-day earlier harvest and a 30% reduction in irrigation water usage. The economic analysis findings show that the system is profitable for investments and energy savings.