Comparison of Energy Requirement for Heating and Cooling of Greenhouses in Adana and Igdir Provinces

Abstract

Greenhouse cultivation enables year-round agricultural production by maintaining controlled microclimatic conditions; however, heating and cooling requirements vary significantly with local climate. This study evaluates and compares the energy demands of a model greenhouse located in Adana, representing the Mediterranean Region, and Iğdır, representing the Eastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye. Climatic data including air temperature, solar radiation, humidity, and wind speed from the period 2014-2024 were used to calculate heating and cooling loads through an energy balance approach. Results showed that Iğdır has a heating-dominated profile, with an average heating load of 250.1 kW and a heating season lasting 224 days, nearly four times greater than Adana. Conversely, Adana is cooling-dominated, with an average cooling load of 659.8 kW and a cooling season of 157 days, approximately 80% higher and 27% longer than in Iğdır. While Adana benefits from higher solar radiation (878.5 W/m² annual average), the humid Mediterranean climate restricts the efficiency of conventional evaporative cooling systems, necessitating hybrid or renewable-assisted alternatives. In contrast, Iğdır’s colder climate imposes higher heating costs but offers opportunities for year-round production when supported by geothermal or thermal storage technologies. These findings highlight the critical role of climate-adaptive strategies in reducing operational energy demand. The study provides a comparative framework to guide greenhouse investment decisions, emphasizing that regional climatic variability must be incorporated into design, operation, and technology selection to ensure energy efficiency, economic viability, and sustainable agricultural production.

Keywords

• Adana
• Cooling
• Greenhouse model
• Heating
• Iğdır

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