How Passive Solar Greenhouses Work

Our Passive Solar Greenhouses are Designed for Decades of Trouble-Free Use

A conventional greenhouse allows some light/heat to enter however the light exits along the North wall and is not stored in the floor.

An Alpine Greenhouse captures 100% of the light/heat that enters and stores that heat in the floor which acts as a “heat sink”.

food production of a passive solar greenhouse

A conventional greenhosue does not utilize vertical growing space.

An Alpine Greenhouse with a tall North wall allows vertical growing to occur on the floor and entire wall, doubling the growing space.

🍅 Warranted against hail for 10 years

🍅 Engineered for 80 lbs/ sq foot snow load

🍅 Able to withstand winds above 100 mph

🍅 Solar heat generation by design

🍅 Solar heat stored in the floor, 15,000 pound “heat sink”.

🍅 Grow twice the food in same footprint due to North wall vertical growing

Features Detail

South Wall

The south wall is reinforced with metal strapping to add powerful support. Polycarbonate material is 8× stronger than glass, and carries a ten year warrenty against yellowing. Clear polycarbonate allows 84% light transmission, essential for growing tomatoes, other vegetables, and flowers.

North Wall

The north wall is elevated to magnify light and increase growing area.
Corrugated galvanized steel exterior withstands extreme weather and lasts for decades.
Insulation on inside of wall enables high-effeciency cooling and heating.

Roof

Roof angle maximizes solar gain.
Custom truss design is for 75 pounds/sq foot
snow load and winds above 100mph.
Solar design sheds snow as soon as the sun appears.

Window and Side Vent

Side vent located at bottom of structure to convectively move air to roof vent.
Side vent opens and closes automatically with solar-activated Gigavents, no power required!
Side window includes a pulley system to easily open and close.
Window opens to inside, minimizing effects of the wind from outside.

Door

Custom mortise and tenon joinery is used in door construction to enable door to withstand temperature extremes.
Chub lever allows easy access when your hands are full.
Door can be painted any color.
Door is weather sealed from the inside.

Exhaust Fan

The exhaust fan automatically activates when inside temperature is too high.
Thermostatically controlled, set at the temperature that’s best for your plants.
Inlet air to exhaust fan is provided by automated side venting.

Electrical

Simply plug your Passive Solar Greenhouse into an extension cord and start growing!
All electrical work is performed by a licensed electrician, inspected and certified, with UL rated components.
Greenhouse can also be hardwired to your existing electrical system.

Circulation Fan

A circulation fan is essential for keeping the air inside the greenhouse moving, which helps to minimize pests and disease.
Air circulation is crucial to a healthy environment in a PSG (Passive Solar Greenhouse).

Gauges

Temperature and humidity gauges are essential for monitoring the environment.
Thermostats can be set to activate fans, coolers, and/or heaters and precise temperatures.

Shelving

Shelving and workbench are customizable to your preferred height.
Shelves are ideal for flowers, herbs, and shorter vegetables.
Shelving, workbench, and raised beds are included.

Raised Beds

Small raised bed underneath shelves is ideal for leafy greens production.
Large raised bed is ideal for tall plants, such as tomatoes or cucumbers.
Raised beds are ideal for maintaining perfect soil tilth. Their height of 16″ makes tending plants much easier.

Roof Vent

Roof vent works with side vent to create convective airflow.
Roof vent is located on lee side of the roof to shelter vent from south winds.
Automated solar opener continuously operates roof vent without electricity.

Anchoring

Custom steel anchors are designed for use with 8 pieces of 5’ rebar or concrete piers, depending on wind conditions

Benches

Custom designed, lightweight, sturdy, and maneuverable benches; used to ease the physical burden of attending to bedded plants in the greenhouse.

Features Detail

SOUTH WALL

The south wall is reinforced with metal strapping to add powerful support. Polycarbonate material is 8× stronger than glass, and carries a ten year warrenty against yellowing. Clear polycarbonate allows 84% light transmission, essential for growing tomatoes, other vegetables, and flowers.

NORTH WALL

The north wall is elevated to magnify light and increase growing area.
Corrugated galvanized steel exterior withstands extreme weather and lasts for decades.
Insulation on inside of wall enables high-effeciency cooling and heating.

ROOF

Roof angle maximizes solar gain.
Custom truss design is for 75 pounds/sq foot
snow load and winds above 100mph.
Solar design sheds snow as soon as the sun appears.

WINDOW AND SIDE VENT

Side vent located at bottom of structure to convectively move air to roof vent.
Side vent opens and closes automatically with solar-activated Gigavents, no power required!
Side window includes a pulley system to easily open and close.
Window opens to inside, minimizing effects of the wind from outside.

DOOR

Custom mortise and tenon joinery is used in door construction to enable door to withstand temperature extremes.
Chub lever allows easy access when your hands are full.
Door can be painted any color.
Door is weather sealed from the inside.

EXHAUST FAN

The exhaust fan automatically activates when inside temperature is too high.
Thermostatically controlled, set at the temperature that’s best for your plants.
Inlet air to exhaust fan is provided by automated side venting.

ELECTRICAL

Simply plug your Passive Solar Greenhouse into an extension cord and start growing!
All electrical work is performed by a licensed electrician, inspected and certified, with UL rated components.
Greenhouse can also be hardwired to your existing electrical system.

CIRCULATION FAN

A circulation fan is essential for keeping the air inside the greenhouse moving, which helps to minimize pests and disease.
Air circulation is crucial to a healthy environment in a PSG (Passive Solar Greenhouse).

GUAGES

Temperature and humidity gauges are essential for monitoring the environment.
Thermostats can be set to activate fans, coolers, and/or heaters and precise temperatures.

SHELVING

Shelving and workbench are customizable to your preferred height.
Shelves are ideal for flowers, herbs, and shorter vegetables.
Shelving, workbench, and raised beds are included.

RAISED BEDS

Small raised bed underneath shelves is ideal for leafy greens production.
Large raised bed is ideal for tall plants, such as tomatoes or cucumbers.
Raised beds are ideal for maintaining perfect soil tilth. Their height of 16″ makes tending plants much easier.

ROOF VENT

Roof vent works with side vent to create convective airflow.
Roof vent is located on lee side of the roof to shelter vent from south winds.
Automated solar opener continuously operates roof vent without electricity.

BENCHES

Custom designed, lightweight, sturdy, and maneuverable benches; used to ease the physical burden of attending to bedded plants in the greenhouse.

Contact US

Greenhouses are available as DIY Kits or Built on-site

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