The Use of Solar Energy in Producing Cucumbers «Comparative Advantages in Collection, Storage and Utilization»

Three identical gable-even-span greenhouses were designed, constructed and installed at the Agricultural and Veterinary Research Station of King Faisal University in order to produce cucumbers during the winter season. These experimental greenhouses were covered by ٠,٨mm thick fiberglass reinforced plastic. Two different solar heating systems were designed, built and employed to heat the ambient air temperature inside the greenhouses. The design of the first one was a surface heating system suspended and fixed on the southern side of the gable roof of one greenhouse. The second solar heating system was a solar panel, which was designed, built and situated outside of the other greenhouse.