Determining the optimum orientation of a greenhouse on the basis of the total solar radiation availability

Abstract

This paper presents an approach to determining the optimum orientation of a greenhouse for year round applications for different climatic conditions. The most commonly used uneven-span single shape of greenhouse in east-west and north-south orientation have been selected for comparison. Total solar radiation input to each wall, included surfaces and roofs, is computed for both solar greenhouse orientation and compared for each month of the year at different latitudes at the northern hemisphere. Experimental validation is carried out for the measured global solar radiation data for horizontal surface and south wall at (44° N and 20° E), Belgrade, Serbia. The predicted and measured values are in close agreement. Results shows that east-west orientation of uneven-span solar greenhouse is the best suited during each months for all analyzed latitudes.