Concept No plant has been built yet. Illustrations and figures describe the design.
In the SolaGrow climate greenhouse, vertical PV modules turn with the sun. An AI-assisted control system is to decide how much light the crop receives, depending on what the plants need. The modules’ electricity goes mainly into cooling.
AI-generated visualisation
up to 1,000 W/m²
Solar irradiation in arid regions
Heat and radiation put the plants under stress. And day after day the greenhouse has to cool against them.
Glass and film are meant to protect plants. In warm regions this turns around: the house traps heat, and operators spend the whole day working against it.
Heat peaks and strong sun put the plants under growth stress. Heat builds up under the cover.
To counter this, the house has to be actively cooled day after day – mostly with purchased electricity and a lot of water.
Energy-intensive climate control drives up costs and emissions. On top of that, the CO₂ for the crop often comes from a gas burner.
Shading without light diffusion casts hard stripes of shadow on the plants. That costs yield and quality.
The climate greenhouse layer by layer – from the supporting structure to the modules. The visualisation shows the principle, not the construction.
Patent pending (PCT)
Visualisation of the concept
Below, a proven Venlo structure of columns and lattice girders; above it, an open space frame carrying upright bifacial PV modules. There is no film roof.
Columns and girders carry the load, the membrane diffuses the light, the space frame holds the rails, the modules generate power and the side cover protects the crops. Length, height and crop can be adapted.
Tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce or strawberries – depending on region and market. The side cover protects the growing space.
Below the girders hangs a light-diffusing membrane in a V-shape, with a roller at its lowest point. It spreads the light evenly and prevents hard stripes of shade.
The module rows stand on single-arm holders and run on rails: they can be moved, tilted and lifted. How much shade the crops receive is to be decided by an AI-assisted control system, according to what the plants need.
Through the day the modules follow the sun. In the evening they tilt towards the low sun; their power goes mainly into cooling.
Each component exists today. What is new is planning them as one system and running it on the greenhouse’s own power.
Vertical, bifacial PV modules can be moved, tilted and adjusted in height. How much shade they provide is to be decided by an AI-assisted control system according to what the plants need; their power goes primarily into cooling.
A light-diffusing membrane is to prevent hard stripes of shadow on the crop and spread the light evenly. Depending on requirements, it has one, two or three layers.
A cover film keeps out wind, sand and snow and at the same time makes it possible to cool the modules.
Sensors measure light, temperature and soil moisture. The modules position themselves automatically, and each zone of the house is controlled separately.
The house is based on the Venlo grid with a lattice-girder substructure. Height, orientation, tilt, membrane layers and crop can be adapted to statics, snow load and crop. Vertical modules hold neither snow nor sand; in a storm they are locked.
Cooling and control run primarily on the greenhouse’s own solar power, supported by storage and load management. CO2 for the crop is produced without combustion instead of in a gas burner.
The focus is on hot regions. The components stay the same; how much each one is needed depends on the climate. The enclosure is also intended for colder regions with other crops.
AI-generated visualisation
AI-generated visualisation
AI-generated visualisation
How the concept differs from conventional greenhouse growing in hot regions.
| Aspect | Conventional | SolaGrow (concept) |
|---|---|---|
| Shade | Shading without generating power | Vertical PV modules follow the sun and generate power; an AI-assisted control system is to decide how much shade falls on the crop. |
| Light | Hard stripes of shadow without light diffusion | A light-diffusing membrane is to spread the light evenly. |
| Cooling | Active cooling, mostly with purchased electricity and a lot of water | Cooling primarily with the greenhouse’s own solar power, balanced by storage and load management. |
| CO2 for the crop | Often from a gas burner | Produced without combustion. |
We will determine reliable figures with the first prototype.
For partners, investors and project developers who want to examine the concept or develop it further together.
Email: kontakt@solagrow-greenhouse.de
Aldersbach, Germany
