| Summary: | In this paper, a description is given about a project concerning the development of a prototype of a closed greenhouse module, designed as a container unit with dimensions of 6055 (l)*2435(w)*2585(h) mm, and equipped with a stand-alone PV system. The project represents the follow up of an on going cooperation research project startef on 1997 by the ENEA institute in Antarctica, and addressed to realise a closed hydroponic module for supplying of plant fresh food to personnel of the Italian base “Mario Zucchelli”. The prototype has been installed in the Iblean territory of the Sicilian region in South Italy, (37° of latitude, and an average yearly value of incoming solar radiation ranging from 1750 to 2180 kWh/m2). The main objective is to test the real capacity of the photovoltaic technology to produce electricity for closed greenhouses. The prototype under investigation is powered by a photovoltaic system made of 6 PV modules able of delivering 1.1 kW of instant DC power, and mounted on the roof of the prototype. The DC power can be converted into AC power via a DC/AC inverter or stored in a battery bank, 24V and 900 Ah. Experiments are in progress to evaluate the PV electricity generation and its efficiency, the PV equipment, the plant crop performance and the economic aspects.
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