ISHS Acta Horticulturae 710: International Symposium on Greenhouses, Environmental Controls and In-house Mechanization for Crop Production in the Tropics and Sub-Tropics
DETERMINATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF PLASTIC FILMS USED AS CLADDING MATERIALS IN NOVEL ENERGY EFFICIENT GREENHOUSES |
| Authors: | B. Chunnasit, P. Hadley |
| Keywords: | optical properties, transmission, plastic films, greenhouse |
| Abstract:
Greenhouse cladding materials are a major component in the design of energy efficient greenhouses. The optical properties of cladding materials determine a major part of the overall performance of a greenhouse both in terms of the energy balance of the greenhouse and on crop behavior. Various film plastic greenhouse-cladding materials were measured under laboratory conditions using a spectroradiometer equipped with an integrating sphere. Films were measured over a range of angles of incidence and the effect of increasing distance between double films was also measured. PAR transmission remained nearly constant for angles of incidence increased up to 30° but fell rapidly thereafter as the angles of incidence increased up to 90°. Increasing distance between double films did not significantly affect PAR transmission in all films examined. These results are discussed in relation to the design criteria for an energy efficient greenhouse. | |
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