Cold Climate Tomato Production Facility
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In this paper, we present a method of producing tomatoes for profit in an isolated Arctic community using only renewable energy sources. A modified rockwool drip hydroponics system was employed, which uses electrodialysis to reclaim effluent nutrient solution. The facility proposed is a modified A-frame greenhouse with highly insulated exterior walls and a slanted roof made of transparent polycarbonate. The facility operates on passive solar radiation that is supplemented by wind power from a 10 kW turbine. A heat exchanging ventilation system is implemented to reduce the amount of heat lost in the winter. A control system is included to partially automate operation and to allow for remote system control and monitoring through the Internet.