The Mediterranean climate, with its mild weather and respectively high winter temperatures is ideal for the cultivation of many flowers and vegetables. Compared to outdoor cultivation, in fields, or indoor conventional greenhouses, retractable roof systems could allow some advantages such as direct solar radiation and the reduction of water usage, chemicals and electrical consumption. Two prototypes of retractable roof greenhouses were installed in terraces in Liguria. The first design uses carrying cables, which allowed the movement of the shading screens or the plastic film. This system permits the greenhouse roof to be either completely closed or completely open (in this case the partial opening of the roof is not relevant). In the second prototype, the film is rolled up on a pipe with a particular device that keeps the film tight whatever its position on the roof is. The covering system collected in a package is cheaper and it is suitable for potted plants, due to the fact that it protects them against adverse weather. The retractable roof with rolled film, offers the possibility of increased automation control which can regulate the heating of the greenhouse, despite the higher installation costs necessary for the first type. Both systems are, however, quite cheap if compared to traditional greenhouse installation costs.
Retractable Roof Greenhouse Systems for Sloped Areas: Comparison of Two Systems
BERRUTO, Remigio;BUSATO, Patrizia;
2008-01-01
Abstract
The Mediterranean climate, with its mild weather and respectively high winter temperatures is ideal for the cultivation of many flowers and vegetables. Compared to outdoor cultivation, in fields, or indoor conventional greenhouses, retractable roof systems could allow some advantages such as direct solar radiation and the reduction of water usage, chemicals and electrical consumption. Two prototypes of retractable roof greenhouses were installed in terraces in Liguria. The first design uses carrying cables, which allowed the movement of the shading screens or the plastic film. This system permits the greenhouse roof to be either completely closed or completely open (in this case the partial opening of the roof is not relevant). In the second prototype, the film is rolled up on a pipe with a particular device that keeps the film tight whatever its position on the roof is. The covering system collected in a package is cheaper and it is suitable for potted plants, due to the fact that it protects them against adverse weather. The retractable roof with rolled film, offers the possibility of increased automation control which can regulate the heating of the greenhouse, despite the higher installation costs necessary for the first type. Both systems are, however, quite cheap if compared to traditional greenhouse installation costs.
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