Why are solar greenhouses used in northeastern China?

Appl Eng Agric. 2014;30: 457–469. Chinese solar greenhouses are unique facility agriculture buildings and widely used in northeastern China, providing a favorable requirement for crop growth. The north wall configurations play an essential role in heat storage and thermal insulation and directly affect the management of the internal environment.

What are Chinese solar greenhouses (CSG)?

Chinese solar greenhouses (CSG) are unique facility agriculture buildings which widely used in northeastern China. It can provide a favorable environment for crop growth under severe external climate conditions so as to achieve annual production [ 1 – 3 ].

What is a passive thermal storage structure (CSG)?

For a long time, CSGs have adopted passive thermal storage structure, which have no energy consumption and rely on thermal storage materials, their volume and location for effectiveness.

What is a structural model of a solar greenhouse?

Zhang et al. created a structural model of energy-saving solar greenhouse. With an 8 m span, a 5.2 m ridge height, a 1.2 m horizontal projection of north roof and a 5 m north wall height, the ideal greenhouse structure was chosen. Some researchers are trying to design new greenhouse structure forms.

How can PCM reduce the dependence of solar greenhouses?

PCM significantly reduces the dependence of solar greenhouses on traditional heating equipment by absorbing solar energy and releasing it in the form of heat energy at night, which is beneficial for reducing the use of fossil fuels. The effective service life of PCM is one of the important factors restricting its large-scale application.

Are PCMS a good thermal energy storage system?

Scholars have demonstrated the enormous potential of PCMs as thermal energy storage systems, but most phase change cycle experiments have been conducted relatively infrequently, lacking long-term reliability analysis. In addition, its high production cost leads to a longer investment return cycle.