Computational modeling study demonstrates that photovoltaic-powered ventilation stabilizes crop-zone temperatures in deep winter greenhouses, indicating economic and operational viability.
Key Points
Evaluate the feasibility, microclimate impacts, and economic viability of integrating a photovoltaic-powered ventilation system into deep winter greenhouses across cold-climate regions.
Constructed 3D computational fluid dynamics models with a 12.1-million-element tetrahedral mesh and validated them against seasonal field data from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois (grid convergence index < 5%).
Coupled microclimate fluid simulations with transient thermal analysis and techno-economic modeling via the System Advisor Model for an annual demand of 845 kWh.
Photovoltaic-powered ventilation lowered crop-zone summer temperatures by 4.9 to 5.8 °C under extreme weather conditions.
Winter daytime crop temperatures stayed above 6.0 °C under extreme cold, while extreme winter nighttime temperatures fell below freezing, with ventilation decreasing them by 0.8 to 1.4 °C.
The solar system supplied the entire 845 kWh annual energy demand, achieving a financial payback period of under six years.