US (MN): Research with Fresnel lens greenhouse continues on large scale

The people of Green Spec designed a one of its kind software program to keep the lenses that Sika Energy USA installed at Green Valley Greenhouses in Ramsey Minnesota exactly on track. This software program keeps the focal line produced by the Fresnel lenses exactly on a receiving tube.

At this moment we are starting up 300 KW solar system with a additional 200 KW to be installed later this year, said Sika Energy´s Cees Kattenberg. "The people of Green Spec are very helpful, and patient you can reach them 24/7, if you have a question or you want a program change they are right there, they are not only solving the issue but they are thinking with us."

One 36 ft bay with a length of 360 ft of a new build 2,4 acre Max Air open roof greenhouse is special designed for a Sika Plex Solar System. A total of 9 rows of Fresnel lenses are installed above the truss just underneath the glass roof. The hot water generated with the solar during the day will be stored in a 35000 gallon storage tank that’s part of the existing heating system. The purpose of this large scale setup is to look at the influence the lenses on the grow of bedding plants. Up to so far no negative grow is reported by the growers.

or more information:
Sika Energy USA
Cees Kattenberg
Dutch American Greenhouse Builders LLC
4653 North County Road 45
Owatonna, MN 55060 USA
dutcham@dutch-am.com
http://www.sika-energy.com/gb/index.html