Growing fresh vegetables all year round in cold countries requires large amounts of energy. Will solar greenhouses be one of the solutions to achieve food independence?
How to grow vegetables and fruits all year round in countries where temperatures drop drastically, in a country like Canada?
Producing edible plants locally throughout the year means food independence and being able to consume all kinds of fresh products locally.
One of the only ways to produce even when it’s cold is to grow in greenhouses. The problem is that conventional greenhouses have to be electrically heated and therefore consume a lot of energy. Bunzl Canada has just unveiled a solar-powered greenhouse project in collaboration with two other companies, Exceed Solar and AACL.
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Solar greenhouse.
This project is launched by Exceed Solar, a young company from Edmonton passionate about the environment and willing to offer products with limited environmental impact.
The project aims to be revolutionary in a country where growing vegetables in winter is almost impossible.
We believe that access to food, especially fresh produce, is essential to building strong and sustainable communities. We are committed to supporting initiatives that address food insecurity and hope that this new greenhouse will serve as a model for other communities.
Margo Hunnisett, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Bunzl Canada.
The idea is to offer a way to grow food in all seasons, without harming the planet and to bring people together around a food project. Good idea, right?
How it works.
The groundbreaking project was launched by Exceed Solar, a local Edmonton startup founded with a passion for the environment and a commitment to making a meaningful impact on the planet by promoting alternative energy and sustainable living. The new greenhouse will feature state-of-the-art technologies such as a 1.2 kW solar power system, a ductless heating and cooling pump, and an Internet of Things (IoT)-based environmental control system.
Bunzl Canada supplies cleaning and hygiene products and equipment, food and retail packaging, safety products and industrial supplies to more than 45,000 Canadian businesses. The company supports local food banks across the country and contributes to school nutrition programs.
We are thrilled to have the support of Bunzl to bring this exciting project to our community. The greenhouse will not only provide us with fresh produce, but will also be a valuable educational resource for our members. We can’t wait to see the positive impact this will have on our community.
Karen Mykietka, Facilities Manager for AACL.
More information: bunzlcanada.ca
