Designing an Energy-Efficient Commercial Greenhouse
Why energy performance is decided long before construction begins An energy-efficient commercial greenhouse uses less energy per square foot of production without a reduction in
Why energy performance is decided long before construction begins An energy-efficient commercial greenhouse uses less energy per square foot of production without a reduction in
Greenhouse owners increasingly need more than an operating cost projection. Lenders, institutional partners, and public-sector clients are asking for documented sustainability performance, a credible electrification
Humidity is one of the most difficult variables to manage in a commercial greenhouse, and one of the easiest to get wrong in a design
Every piece of mechanical equipment in a greenhouse comes with performance data from the manufacturer. Heating capacity, cooling capacity, coefficient of performance, airflow rate, energy
Greenhouse ventilation design typically begins with a standard set of calculations — vent area sized to peak summer load, and openings and circulation fans positioned
Energy is consistently one of the largest operating costs in commercial greenhouse and controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) production. Heating, cooling, ventilation, dehumidification, and supplemental lighting collectively
When an engineer sizes a greenhouse heating or cooling system, the most common approach is to pick a design day, typically a single worst-case temperature,
A comprehensive guide for growers, developers, researchers, and ag-tech investors The greenhouse industry is complicated — highly competitive, oftentimes undifferentiated, with varying price points. While
As growers and organizations look for more sustainable ways to produce food, the idea of the “net zero greenhouse” is getting a lot of attention.
The difference between a standard commercial greenhouse and a purpose-built research greenhouse facility is significant. General-use structures are optimized for production and cost. Research-grade facilities
Planning a commercial greenhouse or indoor farm is a complex undertaking. Before permits are pulled, equipment is ordered, or a single post is set, there’s
Choosing where to build a commercial greenhouse is one of the most consequential decisions a grower will make. Long before crop plans, equipment selection, or
There is something uniquely appealing about dining beneath a canopy of glass while rain traces patterns overhead, or working in a sun-drenched conservatory where the
With drought conditions affecting more and more growing regions worldwide, water efficiency has moved from a best practice to a business necessity. For growers evaluating
Many growers today are operating or acquiring greenhouses that were built decades ago. These structures have produced successful crops for years but may now struggle
Why Putting the “Build First” is Risky Feasibility – the state or degree of being easily or conveniently done. At first glance, building a greenhouse
So, you want a year-round greenhouse? Time to dig deep—literally. One of the most important decisions in any greenhouse project is the foundation design. The
In recent years, many fully automated indoor farms (vertical farms) have struggled financially or closed operations entirely. While indoor farming still holds promise, the setbacks
When ETFE comes up in greenhouse design, it’s often described as lighter than glass, highly transparent, and long-lasting. Those are useful starting points, but they
Key Takeaways With these factors in mind, the real question isn’t if commercial greenhouses can be profitable—but under what conditions they make sense as an
Location: Trenton, Maine Climate Zone: 5b/6a Size: 23’x40′ Application: Commercial cut flowers Crop(s): Flowers Ceres Technologies: GAHT® system Date Completed: 2017 Salt Farm Flowers has been
In Salt Lake City, Utah, construction is underway for what will become an exciting new hands-on learning space for students and other community members to
When starting a new greenhouse cultivation operation or expanding an existing one, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with options. Typically the initial question is what
By Floris Berghout, CEO of Viemose DGS Across the United States, greenhouse growers are navigating a fast-changing landscape. Rising input costs, unpredictable weather patterns, and
While it is typically within the scope of the federal government to issue agricultural grants, there is currently a lot of uncertainty around the status
Strawberries are a beloved fruit, known for their sweet flavor and vibrant color. Growing strawberries in a greenhouse can enhance the process, allowing farmers and
Location: Brooklyn, Wisconsin Climate Zone: 5a/5b Size: 30′ x 60′ Application: Commercial CSA Crop(s) Grown: Mixed fruits and veggies Ceres Technologies: Vented greenhouse, GAHT® system,
Mushroom cultivation is more than just a niche farming practice—it’s a thriving sector with immense market potential. Whether you’re looking to tap into the high-profit
Location: Crandon, Wisconsin Size: 30′ x 100′ Application: Community greenhouse Crops Grown: Leafy greens Technology Included: Aquaponic system, GAHT® system, heavy gauged steel, wet wall
Location: New Castle, CO Climate Zone: Cold & Mixed-Dry/6a Size: Custom 60′ x 120′ GH/ 15′ x 120′ attached north headhouse Application: Commercial Crop(s) Grown:
Location: Longmont, CO Climate Zone: Cold & Mixed-Dry/5b Size: 18′ x 24′ Application: Community Crop(s) Grown: Indigenous plants Ceres Technologies: Vented greenhouse, GAHT® system Date
Location: Omaha, NE Climate Zone: Cold & Very Cold/5b Size: (2) 30′ x 147′ GH & (2) 30′ x 98′ GH Application: Commercial Production Crop(s)
Let’s take a look at some past examples of Consulting, Design Development and Environmental Optimization Services GAHT® Consulting- Tasmania Why did they come to us?
Building Management Systems (BMS) have been instrumental in providing efficient control and monitoring systems in industrial and commercial buildings, primarily for heating, ventilation, and air
Exploring the synergy between wind energy and greenhouses presents a sustainable pathway for agricultural practices. This blog delves into how wind turbines, as a cornerstone
Choosing to power your commercial farm with renewable energy is an excellent way to save money and lessen your carbon footprint. Two types of technologies
The number one hurdle we hear about from farmers, businesses, and anyone interested in building a greenhouse, is cost. As such, we have decided to
Have you ever wondered what you can cultivate within the confines of a greenhouse? The answer is just about anything, although some plants will require
As winter approaches, many regions face the inevitable shift in weather conditions that come with this season. For commercial greenhouse operators, this means adapting operations
Climate Zone: Prescott, Ontario, Zone 6 Size: 30′ x 33′ Type: HighYield™ Kit Crop: cut flowers Year Complete: 2021 Application: commercial Brenda Visser’s green thumb
This blog is a summary of the RII Water Circularity Best Practices Guide. Our intention is to briefly outline some important points the guide makes,
In a world that is becoming increasingly urbanized and disconnected from nature, the concept of biophilia is gaining significant traction. Biophilia, a term coined by
By: Wolf Reichard As an emerging and innovative approach to farming, indoor agriculture, also known as vertical farming or controlled environment agriculture (CEA), is receiving
A rooftop greenhouse is a commercial greenhouse built on top of an existing building, such as a grocery store, restaurant, apartment building, hospital, or warehouse,
Vertical farms have drawn significant investment, and significant scrutiny, over the past several years. Pittsburgh-based Fifth Season closed operations in 2022 after raising $35 million
Not all greenhouses are created equal. Variance in greenhouse design, heating systems, and structural materials make certain greenhouses more applicable for colder climates than others.
A Ceres greenhouse just north of the Canadian border has been getting a lot of attention recently. After being featured in the July issue of Greenhouse
Natural gas prices are historically volatile: Henry Hub prices rose roughly 60% during 2025 before easing in 2026, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration expects
When we design our commercial greenhouses, certain aspects of the structure (truss spacing, glazing material, and climate control equipment) can be adapted to the client’s
Solar greenhouse design begins with choosing the correct orientation for your greenhouse on your given site. For those in the Northern hemisphere, the length of the
Location/Climate Zone – Wanship, Utah, Zone 5bSize – 30′ x 60′Type – HighYield™ Kit Crop – veggiesYear Complete – 2019Application – community greenhouse for luxury resort
Imagine running a business that uses innovative sustainable growing methods, creates little to no waste, and gives back to the community by supplying fresh, local
As much as cultivators wish they could predict what their outdoor growing season will be like, they are always at the mercy of Mother Nature.
Why an automated controller is better than a thermostat for your climate controlled greenhouse Ceres’ patented solar design and innovative climate control technologies enable us
Strawberries are a delectable fruit, making them among the most valuable to grow. Out of season, they are almost impossible to find, and if you
BIM (Building Information Modeling) is a 3D modeling process used for design and construction in order to more accurately plan and build structures. At Ceres
Location/Climate Zone – Morgan, Utah, 6bSize – 30′ x 96′Type – HighYield™ Kit Crop – veggiesYear Complete – 2020Application – community therapeutic space A greenhouse can
All around the world, the food industry has been affected by COVID-19 in one way or another. Fortunately, there have been some positive food-related trends
Get A Free Quote At Ceres, we help our clients become smarter growers by staying at the forefront of greenhouse technology. We conduct our own
For the second installation of our greenhouse lighting series, we will be discussing the difference between the two most commonly used artificial lights in commercial greenhouse
The Relationship Between Greenhouse Design and Supplemental Lighting The benefit of growing in a greenhouse, rather than growing indoors, is the ability to utilize free
Location/Climate Zone – Careywood, Idaho, Zone 6aSize – 23′ x 40′ with 10′ attached head houseType – HighYield™ Kit, aquaponicCrop – veggies and fish Application
Location/Climate Zone – Denver, Colorado, 5b-6aSize – 30′ x 98′Type – HighYield™ Kit Crop – micro greensYear Complete – 2018Application – commercial We strive to make
Local food, sustainable agriculture, and regenerative agriculture are three related but distinct movements in how food gets grown. Local food focuses on shortening the distance
What is Agritech? Agritech, short for agricultural technology, is the integration of technology into farming and food production systems to improve efficiency, yields, sustainability, and
Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) is the difference between how much moisture the air can hold and how much moisture it currently holds. It captures the
Once you have chosen a contractor, your involvement in the building process is far from over. There are several things that you should be diligent about
One of the most important aspects of building a greenhouse is hiring the right greenhouse construction contractors for the job. You want to make sure
The following is an excerpt from The Year-Round Solar Greenhouse, with additional content provided by expert greenhouse grower Paul Alaback. Year-round greenhouse growers and all gardeners
A climate battery is a ground-to-air heat exchanger that provides year-round heating and cooling of solar greenhouses and other structures using the thermal mass of
Interested in starting an aquaponics business? Though you will probably want to take an in-depth aquaponics course if you do not have experience (and are
This is a common question that circulates in forums, and for good reason. Aquaponics is a more environmentally sustainable method of growing than conventional agriculture,
Based in Wheatridge, Colorado, The Redistribution Center serves veterans in need by providing them with vital items like clothing, furniture, and school supplies. In 2016, they added
Looking to design an aquaponics greenhouse? Here are some quick tips and strategies for making the most out of your greenhouse aquaponics investment. 1. Place
Growing bananas and guava, this off-grid tropical greenhouse is anything but your typical commercial greenhouse Step into the solar greenhouse at Golden Hoof Farm in Boulder CO
