Sun Powers Greenhouse Two Ways
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You could say that every greenhouse is solar-powered, but Bryan Boeckmann puts the sun to use twice in his home-built building. Boeckmann, a fulltime fireman and part time flower grower, needed a way to release excess heat during day when he was at work. His 26 by 96-ft. hoop-type greenhouse was perfect for thermostatically-controlled, moveable side curtains like those used in poultry and hog buildings.
All he needed was electricity at the two-acre site. Because it was zoned commercial, the local utility told him they needed $1,500 to hook up his greenhouse and a $200 a month fee. He said, "No, thanks!"
For one thing, he didn't need the curtains or the power from May though mid September. For another, power lines passed right over the site, and saying no was a matter of principle. He went solar instead.
"The curtain system was about $1,100, including the curtain, cables, insulation, machine and a thermostat," says Boeckmann. "The used solar unit, including the building it sits in, collector and batteries, cost me about $1,000. My supplier gave me a good deal because it was the first system like it he had installed."
The greenhouse and curtain system allow Boeckmann to plant perennials in the cold frame at the end of September. By the end of February, the greenhouse soils are warming up and the perennials make a good comeback, producing flowers at least two months earlier than they would in the field. Once a crop is finished, he tears them out and replants, a process he will try to repeat before temperatures fall again.
"The problem is that here in Missouri, it gets warm so quickly," says Boeckmann. Before installing his solar powered curtains, the air in the greenhouse could get too hot during the day, yet fall below freezing at night. With his new system, the curtains rise and fall to keep the temperature at a safe level.
"The curtain moves the most when the sun is out and charging the batteries," says Boeckmann. "When the weather is cold and cloudy and the system isn't charging, the curtains stay up so we don't need the energy."
Although installing the solar power system wasn't difficult and only took about a day, Boeckmann says vendor expertise is vital. "The system has to be sized just right for load capacity," he says. "It also needs to be oriented just right to catch most of the sun."
While he suspects any experienced electrician could install one, Boeckmann recommends getting an experienced supplier who understands component quality.
"I highly recommend my supplier," says Boeckmann. "The system works great. The only thing I've had to do is add water to the batteries. When they wear out, the next set will be gel batteries with a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years and no maintenance."
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bryan Boeckmann, 154 E Main St., Westphalia, Mo. 65085 (ph 573 455-2557; rockytop @osagecon.missouri.org).
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Sun Powers Greenhouse Two Ways 30-3-7 You could say that every greenhouse is solar-powered, but Bryan Boeckmann puts the sun to use twice in his home-built building. Boeckmann, a fulltime fireman and part time flower grower, needed a way to release excess heat during day when he was at work. His 26 by 96-ft. hoop-type greenhouse was perfect for thermostatically-controlled, moveable side curtains like those used in poultry and hog buildings.
All he needed was electricity at the two-acre site. Because it was zoned commercial, the local utility told him they needed $1,500 to hook up his greenhouse and a $200 a month fee. He said, "No, thanks!"
For one thing, he didn't need the curtains or the power from May though mid September. For another, power lines passed right over the site, and saying no was a matter of principle. He went solar instead.
"The curtain system was about $1,100, including the curtain, cables, insulation, machine and a thermostat," says Boeckmann. "The used solar unit, including the building it sits in, collector and batteries, cost me about $1,000. My supplier gave me a good deal because it was the first system like it he had installed."
The greenhouse and curtain system allow Boeckmann to plant perennials in the cold frame at the end of September. By the end of February, the greenhouse soils are warming up and the perennials make a good comeback, producing flowers at least two months earlier than they would in the field. Once a crop is finished, he tears them out and replants, a process he will try to repeat before temperatures fall again.
"The problem is that here in Missouri, it gets warm so quickly," says Boeckmann. Before installing his solar powered curtains, the air in the greenhouse could get too hot during the day, yet fall below freezing at night. With his new system, the curtains rise and fall to keep the temperature at a safe level.
"The curtain moves the most when the sun is out and charging the batteries," says Boeckmann. "When the weather is cold and cloudy and the system isn't charging, the curtains stay up so we don't need the energy."
Although installing the solar power system wasn't difficult and only took about a day, Boeckmann says vendor expertise is vital. "The system has to be sized just right for load capacity," he says. "It also needs to be oriented just right to catch most of the sun."
While he suspects any experienced electrician could install one, Boeckmann recommends getting an experienced supplier who understands component quality.
"I highly recommend my supplier," says Boeckmann. "The system works great. The only thing I've had to do is add water to the batteries. When they wear out, the next set will be gel batteries with a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years and no maintenance."
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bryan Boeckmann, 154 E Main St., Westphalia, Mo. 65085 (ph 573 455-2557; rockytop @osagecon.missouri.org).
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