Roper Solar Greenhouse Features

L. David Roper
roperld@vt.edu
http://arts.bev.net/roperldavid

• Uses Subterranean Heating and Cooling System ( http://www.roperld.com/hycg/SGHwSHCSBuild.htm) instead of water barrels along the back wall for storing heat energy:
  

  	Walkway & shelves are composite boards. White heat-sink fan is controlled by two thermostats.

• Uses ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) for the walls:
  The back wall is 10' tall and the front wall is 6' tall; both are waterproofed on both sides.
• The walls are all earth bermed:
  
• The south glazing is is 10-mm x 4' x 20' double-walled polycarbonate from Sundance Supply:
  
• The north 2"x10" roof and two 2"x8" ends are insulated with closed-cell spray foam. The covering is Hardie Board inside and outside:
  
• A 2090-gallon cistern collects rainwater for the plants:
  

  Pressure tank fed from the cistern

• Vent windows opening/closing and window fan on/off are controlled by thermostats:
  

  Control panel for vent windows and two fans

YMCA Roper Solar Greenhouse
Construction Pictures (Inside Construction)