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• Propose a BIPV-Vertical greenhouse in WEFEN Framework as a sustainable solution • Use Long term experiment and Real-world data for calibration and validation • Cuts water use by 90% compared to conventional systems through Closed-loop design • Achieve minimum 86% energy self-sufficiency in urban conditions by solar integration • Prove economic viability of the BIPV-food system with less than 3-year payback • Cut annual CO₂ emissions by 4843 kg through greenhouse rooftop solar integration This study addresses the inefficiencies and environmental burdens of conventional urban greenhouses by experimentally evaluating a building integrated solar-powered vertical greenhouse system designed for sustainable food production. A stepwise methodology is employed, in which energy audits defined system demands, followed by real-time measurements and performance simulations of photovoltaic energy integration. Three configurations were assessed including a conventional greenhouse, a smart greenhouse powered entirely by the grid electricity, and a smart greenhouse supplied by an integrated solar energy system with grid backup. The solar-powered system achieved 86 percent annual energy self-sufficiency, supplying 20591 kWh of electricity and requiring minimal grid support. Additionally, real-world data were used to validate a modified simulation model accounting for environmental factors such as dust accumulation and aging, achieving a performance ratio of 82.6 percent. Economically, the system demonstrated a payback period of three years and a 17 percent internal rate of return, while environmentally it reduced annual carbon dioxide emissions by 4843 kg. Additionally, the closed-loop system achieved up to 90 percent water savings. This research contributes an experimentally validated, resource-efficient model for integrating solar energy with vertical food production systems tailored to urban sustainability goals.
Alvari et al. (Tue,) studied this question.