At the end of this summer we finally were allotted space to build a prototype greenhouse on campus. The UCSC Arboretum graciously donated a plot in their research section, and the campus approved a temporary (read: not open to the public) structure to be built.
With no access to the electrical grid, this will remain a battery powered structure which puts the design to the test right off the bat.
We’re aiming to build two greenhouses: one will be dyed red with luminescent solar concentrating (LSC) material, while the other will remain transparent but with solar cells attached to act as the control. In theory, the dye should improve solar power generation while not affecting plant growth within the greenhouse.
The basic principles of LSC materials can be found here (although the details are a bit outdated). If you’d like to see the site on your own, the map below should point the way.
