In Minnesota, an organic farmer who goes by the name Steven Schwen explains about a sustainable energy design for greenhouses. The green house described in the article tells us that it is a “thermal banking greenhouse” meaning, that the greenhouse itself is sustainable. Thermal banking is storing energy such as one that is able to produce energy. The greenhouse stores energy using different insulation methods; storing energy is beneficial for the winter. Since the sun sets earlier in the winter, storing energy allows the greenhouse to use the energy later in the season to provide for the crops. This allows more production throughout the year rather than just seasonal growing.
Storing energy not only saves money, it is also a much more sustainable way of farming.
what agreat idea! i want A GREENHOUSE
Jason,
This is an interesting concept for farming. It sounds like it would cost lots of money to set up, though. Do you think it would be practical for farmers set up a greenhouse like this?
Jamie
It seems as though it would be a large cost but it will make up for itself in the future. We can’t predict how long Earth will last but we know that every little difference counts. So setting up a few solar panels to grow more in the winter seems like a logical idea.