Using an innovative heating system and an array of automated controls, Ceres Greenhouses manufactures some of the most energy-efficient grow facilities in the cannabis industry.
The greenhouses use a ground-to-air heat transfer (GAHT) system that can be scaled to any size and provides year-round heating, cooling and humidity control. During the day, a fan draws hot air from the greenhouse through a series of underground pipes where the warm air is stored in the soil. At night, the system draws heat back out of the soil and into the facility. This process provides the greenhouse with year-round heating and cooling in a wide range of climates. It also allows the greenhouse to “self-regulate” its temperature using only the energy of the sun and the thermal mass of the soil, reducing temperature fluctuation, water usage and electricity consumption.
Each greenhouse is made of galvanized steel frames and insulated metal panels. Triple-wall polycarbonate roofing is used for its high light transmission and good insulation value. Polycarbonate diffuses light throughout the greenhouse to reduce shading. Ceres tailors the environment to the plants’ specific requirements with an array of turn-key systems in lighting and climate control to deliver a total solution for growers.
GAHT systems can be used in greenhouses of any size, and in some cases, they can be added to existing greenhouses.
The company’s most recent installation is a 3,000-square-foot greenhouse located in Leadville, Colorado. Even at 10,000 feet elevation, the greenhouse is capable of maintaining a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year without backup heating. Because of the recirculated heat, the greenhouse can be completely self-enclosed, eliminating the need for odor filters and reducing the chance of contamination from foreign particles.
In addition to more traditional greenhouses, Ceres also manufactures greenhouses specifically designed for aquaponics.
More information: www.ceresgs.com.