Optimizing Energy Efficiency and Light Transmission in Greenhouses Using Rotating Low-Emissivity-Coated Envelopes

Growing demand for sustainable agricultural solutions has driven innovations in greenhouse design, particularly in urban areas. This study evaluated the relationship between transparent envelope thermal properties and greenhouse energy loads through regression analysis using DesignBuilder simulation...

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Main Authors: Subin Song, JungHo Jeon, Seonghwan Yoon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1613
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author Subin Song
JungHo Jeon
Seonghwan Yoon
author_facet Subin Song
JungHo Jeon
Seonghwan Yoon
author_sort Subin Song
collection DOAJ
description Growing demand for sustainable agricultural solutions has driven innovations in greenhouse design, particularly in urban areas. This study evaluated the relationship between transparent envelope thermal properties and greenhouse energy loads through regression analysis using DesignBuilder simulations. The thermal performance of the envelope was designated as independent variables to quantify its impact on heating and cooling loads. Based on this analysis, a rotatable low-emissivity (low-E) coating envelope system optimized for temperate climate zones was proposed. This system allows seasonal adjustment of coating orientation to enhance energy efficiency. Compared to traditional materials, this approach achieved up to 16% energy savings without compromising visible light transmittance, essential for crop growth. While double-glazed low-E glass demonstrated the highest energy reduction (22%), it reduced visible light transmittance by 20%, potentially affecting crop productivity. In contrast, the proposed system maintained high visible light transmittance while achieving significant energy efficiency, balancing energy performance and light environment requirements. Additionally, integrating the greenhouse with building structures resulted in a 31.91% reduction in building energy consumption through improved insulation. These findings highlight the potential of adaptable greenhouse envelopes to improve energy performance and support urban sustainability.
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spelling doaj-art-39d7cd7564ba44f090409e1743a57a7c2025-08-20T03:08:52ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-03-01187161310.3390/en18071613Optimizing Energy Efficiency and Light Transmission in Greenhouses Using Rotating Low-Emissivity-Coated EnvelopesSubin Song0JungHo Jeon1Seonghwan Yoon2Department of Architecture, Pusan National University, 2, Busandaehak-ro 63beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Architectural Engineering, Pusan National University, 2, Busandaehak-ro 63beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Architecture, Pusan National University, 2, Busandaehak-ro 63beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Republic of KoreaGrowing demand for sustainable agricultural solutions has driven innovations in greenhouse design, particularly in urban areas. This study evaluated the relationship between transparent envelope thermal properties and greenhouse energy loads through regression analysis using DesignBuilder simulations. The thermal performance of the envelope was designated as independent variables to quantify its impact on heating and cooling loads. Based on this analysis, a rotatable low-emissivity (low-E) coating envelope system optimized for temperate climate zones was proposed. This system allows seasonal adjustment of coating orientation to enhance energy efficiency. Compared to traditional materials, this approach achieved up to 16% energy savings without compromising visible light transmittance, essential for crop growth. While double-glazed low-E glass demonstrated the highest energy reduction (22%), it reduced visible light transmittance by 20%, potentially affecting crop productivity. In contrast, the proposed system maintained high visible light transmittance while achieving significant energy efficiency, balancing energy performance and light environment requirements. Additionally, integrating the greenhouse with building structures resulted in a 31.91% reduction in building energy consumption through improved insulation. These findings highlight the potential of adaptable greenhouse envelopes to improve energy performance and support urban sustainability.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1613greenhouse designbuilding energy efficiencytransparent envelopespassive climate controlclimate-responsive architecture
spellingShingle Subin Song
JungHo Jeon
Seonghwan Yoon
Optimizing Energy Efficiency and Light Transmission in Greenhouses Using Rotating Low-Emissivity-Coated Envelopes
Energies
greenhouse design
building energy efficiency
transparent envelopes
passive climate control
climate-responsive architecture
title Optimizing Energy Efficiency and Light Transmission in Greenhouses Using Rotating Low-Emissivity-Coated Envelopes
title_full Optimizing Energy Efficiency and Light Transmission in Greenhouses Using Rotating Low-Emissivity-Coated Envelopes
title_fullStr Optimizing Energy Efficiency and Light Transmission in Greenhouses Using Rotating Low-Emissivity-Coated Envelopes
title_full_unstemmed Optimizing Energy Efficiency and Light Transmission in Greenhouses Using Rotating Low-Emissivity-Coated Envelopes
title_short Optimizing Energy Efficiency and Light Transmission in Greenhouses Using Rotating Low-Emissivity-Coated Envelopes
title_sort optimizing energy efficiency and light transmission in greenhouses using rotating low emissivity coated envelopes
topic greenhouse design
building energy efficiency
transparent envelopes
passive climate control
climate-responsive architecture
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1613
work_keys_str_mv AT subinsong optimizingenergyefficiencyandlighttransmissioningreenhousesusingrotatinglowemissivitycoatedenvelopes
AT junghojeon optimizingenergyefficiencyandlighttransmissioningreenhousesusingrotatinglowemissivitycoatedenvelopes
AT seonghwanyoon optimizingenergyefficiencyandlighttransmissioningreenhousesusingrotatinglowemissivitycoatedenvelopes