Produce Greenhouse Goes Carbon-Neutral

July 13, 2009

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Houweling’s Hot House, a British Columbia-based greenhouse tomato and cucumber grower, has put into place what it calls the world’s first carbon-neutral commercial greenhouse for fresh produce.

At Houweling’s Oxnard, Calif., greenhouse, where 40 acres of greenhouse capacity was recently added, a 1.2 megawatt solar array runs the facility, also generating heat to let the greenhouse operate with greater efficiently during cooler weather, reports The Packer.

Additionally, the greenhouse employs a water recirculation system, whereby rainwater, as well as runoff from plants inside, is purified and reused within the facility, which totals 120 acres of greenhouses.

Kirk Homenick, director of sales and marketing, said that because the structure is taller than a standard greenhouse, it will let in 15 percent more natural light. The company expects to see increased yields of fresh produce, with a reduction in fossil fuel. And the fact that the greenhouse is a closed system means that fewer pests can get inside, reducing the need for pesticides.

Solar arrays installed with the recent 40-acre addition are enough to power all 120 acres.

The adjacent coolor facility has a system to capture and store waste heat, which is used to keep the greenhouses warm at night, according to the firm’s sustainability Web page. To see a video about the greenhouse, click here.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Make sustainability part of your strategy.

Get equipped at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Survey Results: Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader