Journal of
Engineering and Technology Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Eng. Technol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2006-9790
  • DOI: 10.5897/JETR
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 198

Full Length Research Paper

Approach to calculate solar radiation inside a semi-cylindrical greenhouse

S. Kothari1, S. C. Kaushik2 and N. L. Panwar1*
  1Department of Renewable Energy Sources, College of Technology and Engineering, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur (Rajasthan) 313 001, India. 2Center for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110 016, India.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 22 April 2009
  •  Published: 31 May 2009

Abstract

 

A semi-cylinderical greenhouse is simple in construction, requires less material and can withstand high wind pressure. The transmission of solar radiation through the curved surface is dependent on angle of incidence of solar radiation on the cover. A calculation procedure has been developed for the transmission of obliquely incident beam radiation through a semi-cylindrical greenhouse. An analysis has also been presented for total solar radiation entering the greenhouse on a typical day for N-S and E-W orientations of the greenhouse for semi humid climate of Udaipur (27°42' N, 75°33' E) Rajasthan, India. It is found that E-W oriented greenhouse receives more solar radiation as compared to N-S oriented greenhouse for typical winter month of December by about 7.67%, whereas N-S oriented greenhouse receive less radiation energy by about 2.56% as compared to E-W oriented greenhouse for the typical summer month of May. 

 

Key words: Angle of incidence, greenhouse, semi-cylindrical surface, solar radiation, transmittance.