Solar power used in Nevada greenhouse

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TOMATOES — F.O.B.S AS OF MAY 14

CENTRAL AND SOUTH FLORIDA DISTRICTS — Shipments (433-454-398) — Movement expected to increase. Trading moderate. Prices 5x6s higher, others lower. Extra services included. 25-pound cartons loose mature-greens 85% U.S. 1 or better 5x6s $8.95-9.95, 6x6s $7.95-8.95, 6x7s $7.95-8.95. Quality generally good.

MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH NOGALES, ARIZ. — Crossings (152-146-159, greenhouse 124-123-137, vine-ripes 28-23-22) — Movement expected to decrease seasonally. Supplies 4x4 to 4x5s light. Trading 4x4 to 4x5s fairly active, others slow. Prices 4x4 to 4x5s higher, others generally unchanged. Field-grown and greenhouse cartons/flats two-layer 4x4s mostly $9-10, 4x5s mostly $7.95-9, 5x5s mostly $4.99-5, 5x6s $4.64-5. Quality variable.

MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH OTAY MESA, CALIF. — Crossings (8-8-11, greenhouse 7-7-9, vine-ripes 1-1-2) — Movement expected to increase seasonally. Supplies in too few hands to establish a market. Quality generally good. The first f.o.b. report was expected to be issued the week of May 21.

WEST FLORIDA DISTRICT — Shipments (0-0-0) — Light harvest expected to start the week of May 28. Expect first f.o.b. by the first week of June.

U.S. SHIPPING POINTS — Greenhouse (54-56-**) — No prices reported. **unavailable

CANADA SHIPPING POINTS — Greenhouse (149*-150-**) — No prices reported. **unavailable, *revised

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Home > News > Solar power used in Nevada greenhouse

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Solar power used in Nevada greenhouse

02/22/2012 4:05:20 PM
Andy Nelson

A Reno, Nev.-based solar energy provider has partnered with a Nevada grower on a greenhouse tomato project in Nevada.

SunScience Corp. and Lovelock, Nev.-based DoubleTree Ranch combined their talents to produce an experimental crop of Nevada greenhouse tomatoes in January, according to a SunScience news release.

The project employed SunScience’s Energy Management System, a hybrid solar energy system that produces heat or electricity.

In addition to using solar energy, the SunScience system allows for the use of batteries, wind turbines or generators to complement the solar power.

The system is managed by SunScience’s proprietary Data Communications System software, which monitors and controls critical elements of energy output, storage and environmental metrics, according to the release.

Soil temperature, water usage, humidity, Ph factor and other variables can be monitored in the system.

The company believes the technology will expand greenhouse production in colder climates, where traditional energy costs can be prohibitive.

SunScience’s Energy Management System has a variety of benefits, according to the company, including:

• up to two additional harvests;
• conservation of water usage;
• control over greenhouse climate during winter, mitigating frost damage;
• ability to grow and sell vegetables off-season.

In recognition of Energy Management System and its other technologies, SunScience was recently selected as Entrepreneur of the Year by the Reno Gazette Journal, according to the release.

Comments (2)

Deb Coleman

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Nevada | February, 23, 2012 at 09:32 PM

Wow! Does this mean we can produce food globally year round?

Dave Roberts

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Sparks, NV | February, 24, 2012 at 01:30 AM

Yes, Deb, this is exactly the potential that is in store. Now that the technology has been proven, SunScience is looking for a larger greenhouse grower to scale up what was demonstrated on a smaller scale at the DoubleTree Ranch in Lovelock, NV

Today's Pricing

Solar power used in Nevada greenhouse

02/22/2012 4:05:20 PMAndy Nelson

Comments (2)

Deb Coleman

Dave Roberts

02/22/2012 4:05:20 PM
Andy Nelson