A site for an industrial greenhouse is chosen on more than area and land price. Before design work starts it is necessary to assess the legal status of the site, the availability of utilities, the characteristics of the soil, the terrain, the climatic loads, the logistics and the scope for future expansion.
Mistakes at the land selection stage can affect the structure of the complex, the volume of preparatory work, the composition of the engineering systems and the final construction budget. The site for a greenhouse complex is therefore treated as part of the future production facility rather than simply a place to put up a frame.
What is required of a site for a greenhouse complex
The main task of the pre-design assessment is to understand whether the site suits the chosen growing technology and the planned scale of production. Even a site with a sufficient area may turn out to be inconvenient for construction if it is difficult to connect utilities, provide access for vehicles or place the auxiliary buildings.
Before choosing a site it is necessary to check:
- the category and permitted use of the land
- whether a greenhouse complex may be placed there
- the area of the site including future production and technical zones
- the availability of utilities
- the terrain
- the characteristics of the soil
- the climatic loads of the region
- the access roads
- the scope for expanding the complex
For a large facility it is important to consider more than the area of the greenhouse itself. The site may also need boiler houses or other heat sources, technical rooms, stores, areas for preparing produce, roads and areas for servicing equipment.
| Site factor | What to check before design | What it affects | Risk if it is missed |
| Legal status of the land | Designated use, restrictions, whether construction is allowed | Whether the project can be implemented | Restrictions on siting the facility |
| Utilities | Availability of electricity, water, heat, drainage | The engineering package | Additional costs and connection times |
| Soils and geology | Bearing capacity, groundwater, soil composition | The foundation and site preparation | More construction work |
| Terrain | Differences in level, the need for grading | The layout of structures and utilities | Additional earthworks |
| Climate | Snow and wind loads of the region | The frame design and strength calculations | Risk of damage or excess use of materials |
| Logistics | Access roads and transport accessibility | Dispatch of produce and supply | Constraints during operation |
It is useful to involve specialists in greenhouse complex design at this stage, so that the site can be assessed with the future technology and the composition of the facility in mind.
Utilities and energy resources: what to check in advance
For an industrial greenhouse the utilities are one of the key factors in choosing a site. What the site can offer in terms of connections directly affects the equipment and the running costs.
Power supply
Electricity is required for the climate control equipment, the automation, the pumps, the lighting and other systems. When choosing a site it is important to assess the available capacity, the connection points and the conditions for obtaining them.
If the project includes supplementary lighting or a high level of automation, the power requirements may differ substantially from those of a seasonal facility. The calculation therefore has to be made for the particular growing technology.
Heat source and gas supply
Heating is a key question for year-round operation. Different solutions may be considered as the heat source, and the choice depends on the region, the available resources and the economic model of the project.
When assessing a site, the availability of a gas supply or of alternative heat sources is checked. Insufficient access to energy resources can affect the choice of technology and increase running costs.
Water supply and drainage
Water is needed for the growing processes, for preparing nutrient solutions where hydroponic technologies are used, for sanitary processes and for other tasks.
Before design work the source of water, its quality and the possibility of arranging drainage have to be determined. These parameters affect the engineering systems and the operation of the complex.
When preparing the site it is important to collect data on the available resources in advance. This makes it possible to link the technical decisions to what the site can actually provide.
Soils, terrain and climatic loads
Building a greenhouse on a site requires an assessment of the ground conditions. The characteristics of the soil determine the approach to the foundation and the preparatory work.
The pre-design assessment uses data from engineering surveys, including geology and topography. They make it possible to determine the specifics of the site: the composition of the soils, the groundwater level, the differences in level and other parameters.
The terrain also affects the cost of preparing the site. Large differences in level may require additional earthworks, changes to the layout of the buildings or adjustments to the utility routes.
The climatic loads are considered separately:
- the snow load
- the wind load
- the temperature characteristics of the region
- the seasonal operating conditions
These parameters are taken into account when choosing the structural solutions. The frame and the elements of the greenhouse have to match the conditions of the particular site, so the final choice of structure is made after analysing the region and the engineering data.
Site logistics and a reserve for expansion
An industrial greenhouse complex works as a production enterprise, so the site has to be convenient not only for construction but for subsequent operation.
When choosing a location the following are assessed:
- access for heavy vehicles
- the condition of the existing roads
- the distance to the main sales markets
- the ease of delivering materials and equipment
- the possibility of arranging internal roads
Logistics affects the regular operations: supplying consumables, servicing equipment and dispatching finished produce.
It is also important to allow for expansion of the complex in advance. If the whole site is taken up by the first phase of construction, increasing capacity later may require finding a new site or complex reconstruction.
When preparing an investment project it is therefore advisable to reserve space for additional greenhouse blocks, technical zones and infrastructure. This approach matters especially for projects that plan to develop in stages.
For investors considering a new facility, the site is assessed together with the future technology and the economics of the project. This approach is used when developing greenhouse complexes for investors.
FAQ
What area of land is needed for an industrial greenhouse?
There is no universal figure. The area required depends on the production task, the size of the greenhouse block, the growing technology, the layout of the engineering facilities, the stores and technical rooms, and the plans for expansion. A site is assessed not only by the area of the greenhouse itself but by the whole infrastructure of the complex.
Which utilities does a greenhouse complex need?
The main utilities are the power supply, a heat source, the water supply and drainage. Communications, automation and other engineering solutions may also be required depending on the growing technology and the level of equipment.
Do ground investigations have to be carried out before design?
Yes, engineering surveys make it possible to assess the conditions of the site and take them into account in the design. Geology and topography help to determine the characteristics of the soils, the groundwater level and the features of the terrain that may affect the foundation and the preparatory work.
Why is it important to allow space for expanding the complex?
An industrial greenhouse often develops in stages. If no reserve of land is left in advance, expansion may require additional costs or limit the scope for increasing production. When choosing a site it is better to consider not only the first phase of construction but the prospects for developing the facility.
