Energy budget for greenhouses in humid-temperate climate

Abstract A dynamic computer model simulating a greenhouse microclimate under a range of different climatic conditions has been developed and verified. The model is one-dimensional and consists of four layers, for each of which heat and mass fluxes are simulated. It only takes into account primary boundary conditions. Water diffusion through leaves is given as a function of the environmental parameters affecting the stomatal resistance. In addition to the considerations which appear in previous models, crop thermal storage and time evolution of the crop characteristics are also included. An analysis of the model's sensitivity to different parameters was carried out. A local commercial greenhouse was used so as to obtain a set of real values with which to compare those that were simulated. The two sets of values showed close agreement. The dynamic computer model was also used to compute the energy required in a greenhouse designed for growing strawberries.