Operating Principles of Climate Screens in Greenhouses

As a key component of greenhouse climate control, screens serve two primary functions:

1. Light Management

Light is vital for crop growth, but excessive solar radiation causes overheating and stress, leading to leaf wilting or burn. Screens effectively mitigate these issues.

o Early Morning: Open to allow gentle natural light in.

o Midday to Afternoon: Closed for shading.

o Evening: Adjust based on light conditions.

o Nighttime: Closed for heat retention.

Note: Operation should be flexible based on crop type, presence of supplemental lighting, daily radiation, temperature, and season.

2. Humidity Control

Proper humidity is a key indicator for optimal crop growth. Low relative humidity reduces transpiration efficiency and causes water stress, affecting yield and quality. High humidity increases condensation risk and may lead to fungal diseases.

When screens are closed (e.g., due to strong light), humidity below the screens tends to rise. This can be avoided by using vapor-permeable screen materials or leaving gaps when closing the screens.

3. Temperature control

Temperature is a key indicator for optimizing crop growth in greenhouses. Proper temperature control, based on crop growth stages and external conditions, balances growth and ensures yield and quality.

Excessive light radiation overheats the greenhouse and crops, reducing photosynthesis and hindering growth. Clear, cold nights cause excessive radiative heat loss, leading to low temperatures.

Screens assist growers in regulating greenhouse temperatures effectively.

4. Energy Saving

Common strategies for energy saving with greenhouse screens include reducing heating/cooling volumes, retaining heat, minimizing heat loss, and cutting the use of cooling equipment such as fan-and-pad systems to lower energy consumption.

Based on specific greenhouse requirements, Hamilton is committed to helping growers optimize screen selection and combinations. Double-layer screens have become increasingly popular in recent years, with typical combinations maximizing energy savings while reducing light loss.