DEVELOPMENT OF A FRESH WATER FLOATING INSULATION SOLAR POND FOR GREENHOUSE HEATING

Development of protected cultivation has been one of the most significant trends in Israeli agriculture for the last three decades. The energy crisis enhanced development of systems for utilization of alternative energies. However, in view of recent reduction in fuel oil prices, most of these systems could not compete economically with conventional fuels. The Fresh Water Floating Insulation Solar Ponds (FWFSP) attempts to utilize simple and inexpensive technologies and materials to construct a cost effective solar energy heating source for greenhouses.

The following paper includes:

1. A brief description of the system and its operation
2. Results of experiments compared with simulation
3. Prediction of the system performance for greenhouse heating.
4. Conclusions and proposals for future development