A Thermo-Economic Analysis of Solar Energy-based Heating Systems for Greenhouse Application

Energy is the largest overhead cost in the production of agricultural greenhouse crops due to the significant heating loads needed to maintain the inside temperature at its optimal level. With the aim of adopting clean and sustainable energy technologies, instead of fossil fuels which the cost and the negative environmental impacts are increasing, innovative solar energy-based solutions are presented to improve the heating operation in the protected environments. The purpose of this research is to analyze, by means of mathematical models, the thermal performance of solar collectors, photovoltaic panels combined to heat pumps, and hybrid photovoltaic thermal systems, used for heating an experimental barley greenhouse located in Meknes, Morocco during the winter season. Furthermore, an economic analysis has been assessed in order to investigate the cost feasibility of these different technologies.