Researchers at the University of Windsor are wait to the sun to help work a challenge for Ontario nursery growers – how to expand the sphere sustainably while reduce its environmental step .
Prof. Rupp Carriveau is head up a project that is looking at the feasibility of a fresh solar renewable vigor system that would both generate and stash away zip for Ontario greenhouse growers . The research is receiving fund from the Greenhouse Renewable Energy Technologies ( GRET ) research and development initiative .
“ We ’re looking to do two things : reduce the environmental step of the greenhouse sector by reducing some of its dependency on fossil fuel in the form of natural accelerator pedal heating , and enabling good electrical gridiron capability by generating and storing power for when it is demand , ” Carriveau , director of the Environmental Energy Institute at Windsor , explains .
The scheme being piloted habituate pitch-black solar caloric panels that are heated by the sun and the resulting output is used to heat the greenhouse . It also makes use of solar photovoltaic panels and an accompanying electrochemical battery storage system that give and stores electricity to supplement the amount of power the provincial grid can provide to a greenhouse performance .
Not only will this substantiate future enlargement of a sector where electrical infrastructure challenge are limiting growth , but it will also bring home the bacon supernumerary energy essential to growers seeking to extend their production seasons by adding additional lighting systems .
“ We ’re change state the nursery from a consumer to a producer of electricity and becoming an plus to the grid , ” he says . “ And with the new onsite energy generation , we can offload about 20 per centum of a greenhouse ’s lifelike gas colony ; that ’s enough to handle the pre - heating in the summer . ”
Although the feasibility study is still ongoing , termination to day of the month signal that the best execution make out from a combination of 90 pct solar caloric panel , 10 pct photovoltaic panels , and six self-direction time of day for the bombardment camber .
It ’s important to note , though , that there may be some variation in this combination across dissimilar operations depending on their specific needs , production systems and facility .
“ Our results so far have been advance enough that the grower we are turn with is going ahead with it – and will use their pond to make the first commercial floating solar installation in Canada , ” Carriveau adds .
The ponds offer an idealistic resolution as most agriculturist do n’t have extra kingdom to devote to solar panels – and because the pool will be covered , its water will stay cooler with less environmental contamination such as algae growth , especially in the summer . This will reduce growers ’ expenses have-to doe with to cool and clean up pool water before use in the readiness .
“ Under Sun Acres is pleased with the findings that have lead from this project , ” say Lucas Semple , General Manager of Under Sun Acres . “ The collaboration between the University of Windsor and our deftness is a primal element to providing accurate energy usage profiles and understanding the complex physical process within the nursery . initiation of a pilot program project is our next step in this try . ”
Initial calculations , without considering any toll - share-out or other supplemental financial backing opportunities that might be available to cultivator , judge a return on investing over 10 years .
“ The technology will continue to improve and with it the efficiency so the political economy can only get better , ” tell Carriveau .
“ Growers are looking for atomic number 6 extenuation strategy , lower vim toll and reliable energy supply , and integrating renewable solar energy into a nursery ’s operations through this case of system will facilitate the sector attain those results , ” he add .
