Best-selling author has written over 35 books. He is a leading sustainability expert with over 40 years' experience in the fields of natural building and passive solar energy design. Founder and lead instructor at the Evergreen Institute Centre for Renewable Energy and Green Building. Author has published close to 400 articles in leading magazines, including
Home Power, Solar Today, and
Mother Earth News. After two decades of growing in greenhouses, he completed the construction of a passive solar Chinese greenhouse in 2017 and has been growing in it ever since. The ability to grow food that is independent from natural weather patterns will play a crucial role in climate change adaptation. This method of building greenhouses was developed in China and makes it possible to grow warm-weather vegetables like green peppers and tomatoes in the fall, winter, and early spring using only solar energy for a heat source. They are earth-sheltered, solar-heated, intelligently glazed, and well-insulated greenhouses. Works best in sunny winter locations. The main benefit of Chinese greenhouse in more northern areas is the huge reduction in heating costs, rather than completely self-heating. Tested in extreme winter conditions and found to be 43 times more energy-efficient than an all-glass greenhouse. Without additional heating, temperatures averaged 32 degrees above the exterior temperatures. This is the only book available on Chinese greenhouse design and construction. Includes step-by-step construction plans for simple heat-capture system long-term or seasonal heat banking. Advice on how to cool the greenhouse during the summer Differs from greenhouses covered in other books in that is highly effective in cold climates earth sheltered, passive solar heated and uses insulated blankets Specific and easy to use Techniques can be adapted for use in traditional greenhouses Used between latitudes 32 degrees and 43 degrees north, wherein much of the continental United States lies Includes specific construction details for locations farther north that require sophisticated construction Endorsements from: David Wann, Pat Foreman, Eliot Coleman, Joel Salatin, and Dr. Sanjun Gu, agronomist at Extension Service North Caroline Agricultural and Technical University
Audience: Market farmers, greenhouse growers, DIYers, homesteaders, permaculturalists, engineers, architects, passive solar professionals, and agricultural extension offices
Academic: State universities, including Kansas State University, Colorado State University, and Michigan State University, offer horticultural degrees and courses on greenhouse growing.
International: Colder European nations and Russia
Canada: Works best in sunny winter locations in Canada. The main benefit of Chinese greenhouse in more northern areas is the huge reduction in heating costs, rather than completely self-heating. Tested in Manitoba and found to be 43 times more energy-efficient than an all-glass greenhouse! Without additional heating, temperatures averaged 32 degrees above the exterior temperatures
