The year-round solar greenhouse : How to design and build a net-zero energy greenhouse
(Books)

Includes index Section I. The big picture. What is a solar greenhouse? -- Growing indoors: history and future trends -- Planning for the greenhouse -- Section II: Designing and building a solar greenhouse. Siting and orientation -- Controlling light and heat gain: glazing -- Controlling heat loss: insulation -- Ventilation -- Greenhouse geometries -- Greenhouse construction basics -- Attached greenhouses -- Earth-sheltered greenhouses -- Section III: Heating and colling methods. Passive thermal mass -- Using the earth for heat storage -- Solar hot water-- Rocket mass stoves and compost heaters -- Powering the greenhouse -- Section IV: Growing in the greenhouse. Creating the greenhouse environment -- Aquaponics and hydroponics -- Appendix 1: Temperature ranges of common greenhouse crops -- Appendix 2: Optimizing glazing angles -- Appendix 3: Supplemental lighting "Comprehensive coverage of passive solar greenhouse design including material selection, building methods and how to store thermal energy using a variety of simple and innovative strategies. Over a dozen case studies provide real-life inspiration, capped off with how-to guidance for building a durable, energy-efficient greenhouse. Variations include underground and aquaponic greenhouses and integrating solar panels to grow off-grid, year-round."--

Build your own passive solar greenhouse for year-round food production in any climate Extensively researched, written with personal experience, and full of essential facts and figures rendered simple and accessible. ― DARRELL E. FREY, author, The Bioshelter Market Garden A practical, easy-to-read guide that enables anyone to design and build their own sustainable, year-round greenhouse. I highly recommend it for aquaponic growers, and any gardener looking to extend their season. ― SYLVIA BERNSTEIN, author, Aquaponic Gardening FRESH, LOCAL, NUTRIENT-DENSE fruits and vegetables are hard to find in winter in cold climates. Growing warm-weather crops like tomatoes, bananas, avocados, or other perennials is nearly impossible using conventional structures. The solution for millions of backyard and small-scale commercial growers is self-heating solar greenhouses. The Year-round Solar Greenhouse is the one-stop guide to designing and building greenhouses that harness and store energy from the sun to create naturally heated, lush growing environments even in the depths of winter. Topics include the principles of solar greenhouse design, siting, glazing material properties and selection, controlling heat loss, ventilation, and construction methods. Additionally, an in-depth section covers sustainable ways of heating the greenhouse without fossil fuels, including using thermal mass and storing heat underground with a ground-to-air heat exchanger. Variations include attached solar greenhouses, earth-sheltered greenhouses, plus integrating hydroponics and aquaponics. More than a dozen case studies from across North America provide inspiration and demonstrate specific challenges and solutions for growing year-round in any climate. Grow your own food, anytime, anywhere using the power of the sun!