Solar Radiation Allocation and Spatial Distribution in Chinese Solar Greenhouses: Model Development and Application

Xiaodan Zhang, Jian Lv, Jianming Xie, Jihua Yu, Jing Zhang, Chaonan Tang, Jing Li, Zhixue He and Cheng Wang
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Jian Lv: College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Jianming Xie: College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Jihua Yu: College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Jing Zhang: College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Chaonan Tang: College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Jing Li: College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Zhixue He: College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Cheng Wang: College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-27

Abstract: Solar radiation is the sole energy source for Chinese solar greenhouse agriculture. A favorable light environment is the foundation of a desirable crop growth environment, and it is key in solar greenhouse design. In this study, a mathematical model is established to quantitatively evaluate the solar greenhouse light environment. The model was developed considering the greenhouse shape parameters, materials’ optical properties, and interior solar radiation evolution, including the beam radiation, diffuse radiation, and multi-reflection. The model was validated under different weather conditions, and the results reveal a mean percentage error of 1.67 and 10.30% for clear sunny weather and cloudy weather, respectively, and a determination coefficient of 0.9756. By using this model, the solar radiation allocation in a solar greenhouse was calculated to determine the solar radiation availability for the heat-storage north wall and the entire greenhouse, and the dynamical spatial distribution of the solar radiation was obtained to describe the light environment quality. These allow the optimization of the greenhouse lighting regulation and planting pattern. Moreover, several optimizing measures are derived according to the model for improving the low-light environment near the north wall and maximizing the north wall’s heat storage/release capacity in a solar greenhouse.

Keywords: Chinese solar greenhouse; light environment model; solar radiation allocation; solar radiation spatial distribution; planting pattern (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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