Determination of the optical properties of plastic films used as cladding materials in novel energy efficient greenhouses

Chunnasit, B. and Hadley, P. (2006) Determination of the optical properties of plastic films used as cladding materials in novel energy efficient greenhouses. In: Kamaruddin, R., Rukunuddin, I. H. and Hamad, N. R. A. (eds.) Proceedings of the International Symposium on Greenhouses, Environmental Controls and In-House Mechanization for Crop Production in the Tropics and Sub-Tropics - CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT PRODUCTION SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION. Acta Horticulturae. International Society Horticultural Science, Leuven 1, pp. 471-478. ISBN 0567-7572 90-6605-519-7

Abstract/Summary

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 degrees but fell rapidly thereafter as the angles of incidence increased up to 90 degrees. 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.