Today, it’s challenging to find something pure. Even if you ignore other essentials, no one can overlook the importance of hygienic food items, especially vegetables and fruits.
Growing vegetables at home ensures their purity and adds extra flavor. A greenhouse lets you grow plants all year long without a pause.
However, you must provide proper heat to get the most out of your greenhouse. One of the most recent and energy-efficient ways is to use a solar heating system for greenhouses.
However, it may be difficult to find suitable heaters for a greenhouse if you aren’t experienced with them. Installing a new heater in your greenhouse is less expensive than you think. You can quickly get on quality solar heating equipment with little effort.
Here’s a guide to some of the best solar heaters for greenhouses. We will also discuss how to select a suitable solar heater for greenhouses.
Best-Of by Category
| Category | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Solar Heater for Large Greenhouses | ALLPOWERS SP033 200W Portable Solar Panel |
| Best Cost-Effective Solar Heater | Renogy 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel |
| Best Solar Heater for Indoor & Outdoor Greenhouses | Yrbxsky Solar Pendant Light Indoor Outdoor |
| Best Complete Solar Heating Kit for Greenhouses | Eco-Worthy 200W Solar Panel Greenhouse Heating Kit |
Best Solar Heaters for Greenhouses
This review discusses top-rated solar heaters you can use in a greenhouse. If you have been unlucky in finding a suitable heater, the following list can help you choose one.
1. ALLPOWERS SP033 200W Portable Solar Panel
Features:
- Water-resistant
- Foldable
- Huge power output
- Compatible with numerous power generators
If you want to go solar when heating your greenhouse, this 18V solar panel kit can help. Ideally, the kit is designed to help campers, RVers, and anyone going off-grid stay connected by providing enough power to charge their devices.
However, connecting it to a greenhouse heater can sufficiently provide warmth for your plants. This helps them stay healthy and grow consistently, even during the coldest months.
ALLPOWERS 200W is made in the US and offers an efficiency rate of 22%. Even better, it’s lightweight (1/3) lighter than solar silicon panels of the same size.
Lastly, it generates enough power for your power station, whether for camping, motorhome, garden, or greenhouse. Connect it to a reliable greenhouse heater, and your plants will be sorted.
See Related: Best Pool Heater Solar Panels
2. Renogy 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel
Key Features:
- It provides heat even in low-light conditions
- Easy to mount with a flexible metal handle
- Highly durable
- The charging controller makes it safe from catching fire
- Energy and cost-effective
- Can operate with different batteries
This is a durable 100 W monocrystalline solar heater for the greenhouse. Its sturdy structure allows it to stand firm even in heavy snow and storms.
It has a total capacity of 200W and two 100-watt solar panels. Therefore, it can quickly provide heat to the greenhouse even in cold and cloudy conditions.
The panel’s multi-layers of sheet laminations ensure that your greenhouse remains warm for a long time. Moreover, a rust-resistant, sturdy, and adjustable stand accompanies it.
The device also has a 4-stage charging regulator that ensures it is not overcharged. Other safety features include temperature and battery sensors, which work together to keep the heater secure and protected.
Its ability to work well even in cloudy and overcast weather makes it a worthy solar heater. Moreover, its safety features, such as the charging regulator, are unique and offer maximum protection from uncalled-for hazards.
This solar panel is an apt choice if you want a low-cost and eco-friendly solar heater for a greenhouse.
See Related: Best Greenhouse Lights for Plant Growth
3. Yrbxsky Solar Pendant Light Indoor Outdoor
Key Features:
- Easy installation
- LED light shed with three bulbs
- Adjustable solar panel – 180 degrees for best sunlight
- Ideal for indoor and outdoor use
While many people use this solar-powered device for indoor or outdoor lighting, it can also be an excellent source of heat for your greenhouse. It is made of two distinct parts – the lamp body and the solar panel and has an ON/OFF switch.
The device also comes with a solar light sensor, which detects when the sun comes up and when it goes down. Usually, when the sun rises, the solar panel powers up. And when the sun sets, it goes off automatically.
Its modern design connects a single solar panel to three lights. Even better, it’s adjustable to various angles up to 180 degrees, guaranteeing maximum solar energy absorption by the panel.
The 5v, 2.7 W solar panel is also made of amorphous silicon and has a 3.2V/5500mAh rechargeable battery. As a result, it can offer the necessary lighting and heating for your greenhouse without costing too much.
See Related: Best Off-Grid Greenhouse Heating Systems
4. Eco-Worthy 200W Solar Panel Greenhouse Heating Kit
Key Features:
- Easy installation
- Automated charging controller
- Heats rapidly
- Works well in low-light conditions
- Water and rust-resistant
The Eco-Worthy 200W solar heater can bear harsh weather like snow loads and storms with a strong metal structure. Moreover, the aluminum frame is also rust-resistant and waterproof.
The two 100W panels heat the space quickly. Like notch panels, it also has a charging controller. This controller prevents the device from overheating, which ensures its longevity.
The panel also has an inbuilt system to protect it from undervoltage, short circuits, and reverse polarity.
This panel’s built-in protection mechanism keeps it safe from damage. Moreover, its superb durability and easy-to-install features make it a great product for your greenhouse. In addition, since this solar panel provides a constant energy flow, you no longer have to worry about power cuts.
With its environmentally friendly features and effective heating, this solar panel is undoubtedly the best choice for your greenhouse.
Use our coupon code SAVEONSOLAR for any Eco-Worthy product and save 2% on your order.
See Related: Best Solar Chargers for Laptops
5. Nakoair Solar Air Heater Collector OS22
Key Features:
- Can humidify or dehumidify room depending on its environment
- It does not have any maintenance costs
- Occupies less space
- You can even switch between solar power or electric energy at your convenience.
- Best for greenhouses
A cost-effective solar device, the Nakoair solar air heater collector, creates a warm, healthy atmosphere for your crop in the greenhouse. Conveniently, this small solar heater does not require much maintenance.
Since it has a heating capacity of 72%, you can easily use it to avoid mold and moisture in a small-spaced greenhouse. Moreover, it is specifically designed for extended working.
Therefore, it definitely gives a tough time to other solar-powered heaters in terms of durability.
The Nakoair solar heater takes only 45 square meters, so it can easily be placed anywhere. Its only 10 KWH annual power consumption offers generous savings.
You can trust it blindly since it comes with a European solar key mark certification. This certificate is evidence of its quality solar thermal energy production. Moreover, it also indicates that this solar heater for the greenhouse meets European standards for use.
All in all, if you are looking for a cost-effective and trustworthy solar heater, this product is the right choice.
See Related: Best Solar-Powered Laptops to Buy Today
6. POWOXI 10W Warm Air Solar Heater
Key Features:
- Metal mesh cover
- A fence on the back
- Simple panel
- Automatic movement option
- No need to use long extension wires
- Safe to use
- Three-speed charging adjustment
- It cuts off power itself at high temperatures
It is an efficient, portable solar heater that would be best in your greenhouse. The POWOXO 10W Warm Air Solar Heater utilizes high-quality PTC ceramic heating, which makes its heating system quick.
Moreover, the device has a safety protection feature and no loud noise. Its aesthetic design is alluring and will look appealing when placed in the greenhouse.
Its elegance and versatile features help it stand out from other heaters for a greenhouse. This product has a one-year warranty and lifetime technical support.
This cost and energy-efficient heater can rapidly heat your greenhouse. Moreover, it is environmentally friendly too.
See Related: Best Solar Power Banks
7. PK Green 10 W Small Solar Heater for Greenhouse
Key Features:
- It uses a far-infrared heating technique
- No noise or pollution
- Completely secure with a thick metal protective cover
- It saves you maintenance costs
- High-thermal efficiency
- Portable and easy to carry
- Long term warranty
This PK Green environmentally friendly solar heater is 10W and monocrystalline. It is also portable and can adequately provide your crops with an optimum environment in the greenhouse.
Since it has the best quality aluminum protective covering, it is highly safe and secure. You can also find holes in the metal covering to mount it easily.
Overall, the heater is UV and rust-proof. Moreover, it is water-resistant too. All these features make this product extremely durable and trustworthy.
The panel has a long wire in the package, and you do not need to connect other cables to get it going. Excitingly, the product has a 20-year limited warranty that would help keep it in the best shape for a long time.
As one of the best solar panels for a greenhouse heater, it offers you various features. It can effectively heat a small-spaced greenhouse rapidly. Furthermore, you can place it in a compact area with its portable structure.
This product is bespoke for anyone looking for an efficient heater with low maintenance costs. The warranty period adds to its credibility.
8. Xinpuguang 100W Solar Panel for Greenhouse
Key Features:
- Designed for long-term use
- Durable
- Able to heat quickly regardless of the weather
- Cell efficiency is 8%
This 100W monocrystalline solar panel kit is an impressive greenhouse heating device. The silicon solar cells present in the panel are highly efficient.
Its PET material surface makes it water-proof and allows it to gather maximum sunlight. Subsequently, the device produces quick solar energy and heats the greenhouse rapidly.
These panels have built-in drilled holes that allow you to install them easily anywhere. In addition, the corrosion-resistant aluminum cover helps them withstand robust winds and snow. Even if you mount them on top of your greenhouse, they will stay undamaged.
Although it may seem costly, the product is worth the money. The rust- and water-proof material ensures its long-term usage and durability. Moreover, it is energy-efficient and eco-friendly.
This is an extraordinarily reliable and handy heating source for off-grid spaces such as greenhouses. Moreover, since it does not eliminate pollutants, you can proudly contribute to a cleaner environment.
What is a Solar Greenhouse Heater?
A solar greenhouse heater is a system that turns the sun’s energy into thermal energy and then distributes it. It requires collectors, which can be solar heat absorption panels or photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, to accomplish this. When using PV panels, an electric heater generally turns the electrical power into heat.
Solar panels produce electricity when the sun shines on them. Therefore, when there is no sun, there is no power production. To step up this basic system, a battery or thermal mass storage is used to reserve energy for later use during cloudy days or at night.
Solar heating systems are categorized into Active and passive systems. Active solar systems comprise circulating controls and pumps, while passive solar systems don’t.
The solar greenhouse heater system enables one to create a suitable temperature for growing vegetables and other plants all year round. It helps extend a plant’s growing season, optimize growing conditions, and create a micro-climate for cultivation throughout the year.
Solar-powered heater for Greenhouse
Conventional greenhouse heating techniques, such as electric or gas-powered heaters, are expensive. Moreover, they are unreliable too, as a power cut can ruin your hard work in no time.
Therefore, solar heaters seem to be the correct answer to all your greenhouse heating needs. They are cost-effective and provide a continuous energy source despite low sunlight.
Moreover, they help heat the plants throughout the year, even in winter, leading to a healthy greenhouse environment.
Generally, two types of solar panels are incredibly efficient including:
Monocrystalline Solar Cells
Made from monocrystalline silicon, these cells are dark in color and cylindrical in shape. They consume little space and have an efficiency rate of 15-20%, which is above average. In addition, they show high performance even on cloudy days.
However, a drawback associated with them is that they might be more expensive than the other solar cells in the market.
Polycrystalline Solar Cells
Unlike monocrystalline cells, polycrystalline cells produce no silicon waste. Also, the high temperatures do not affect them negatively. In terms of costs, polycrystalline cells are more affordable than their counterparts.
Nonetheless, they tend to occupy more space and are less efficient than monocrystalline solar cells.
Things to Consider When Choosing Solar Heaters for a Greenhouse
Finding a solar heater that best fits the greenhouse can be tricky for someone without prior experience. However, you can get a product worth the money with care and guidance.
There are some factors that you must keep in mind before buying a solar panel greenhouse kit.
1. Greenhouse Size
To start with, the solar panels for the greenhouse heater will depend heavily on the size of the greenhouse itself. A big outdoor greenhouse measuring 30 by 96 feet will undoubtedly need a more robust panel than a small greenhouse measuring eight by 8 feet.
Most gardeners use 20 to 40 watts per square foot. This varies depending on the amount of natural sunlight your greenhouse receives, the plants you’re growing, and the amount of light they require.
2. Plants Inside the Greenhouse
Secondly, the type of plants you are growing or want to grow decides what kind of solar greenhouse heater you need. Every crop requires a different temperature.
For instance, planting crops that need more heat in winter, like growing tomatoes, using small heaters for a greenhouse won’t do the job.
Moreover, plants release heat of their own, too. So, if you are not consuming the entire greenhouse, a small heater will be sufficient.
3. Level of Insulation
Another essential thing to consider is how well your greenhouse is insulated. You should insulate your greenhouse well enough to minimize heat leakage. This will allow you to buy even small solar panels for a greenhouse heater.
4. Handy Controls in the Panels
Ideally, the panel should have some user controls to help you regulate them more easily. They may include;
- A controller for overcharging
- Mounting bracket
- Temperature sensors
- Additions like these make your panel more trustworthy and secure.
5. Ease of Installation
The solar panel must be easy to install with a direct mount option. Moreover, some panels are also versatile in terms of installation. You can fix them on a boat, cabin, or rough surface.
Some factors to consider when installing and maintaining the system include the climate, solar resources, safety issues, and local building code requirements. Therefore, it is preferable to get qualified personnel to do the job. Maintenance can happen once every 3 to 5 years, and replacing a part or two can take up to 10 years.
6. Price
You will find a variety of solar heaters for a greenhouse in the market with different price brackets. So, before buying one, you must at least have a rough budget estimate. This will save you a lot of time and effort.
Advantages of Solar-Powered Heaters for Greenhouse
A solar heater effectively heats the greenhouse and has other benefits. Here are the potential pros of using a heater for a solar-powered greenhouse.
1. Cost-Effective
Although it may look somewhat expensive initially, a solar-powered heater is highly cost-effective in the long run. A solar panel system uses the sun as an energy source, so you won’t have to worry about monthly charges.
Using an insulated covering and increasing the thermal mass when collecting solar heat can reduce heating costs by 30% to 40%.
Generally, electricity or gas heaters result in hefty bills at the end of the month. However, a solar heater for the greenhouse will immediately start saving you money as it has no running costs.
2. Uses Renewable Energy
The most alluring benefit of these heaters is that they get energy from the sun. Therefore, unlike natural gas, the sun is a renewable energy source.
3. Easy Installation
In addition to being inexpensive, the solar heaters are friendly to install, too. You do not need a tight grip on science or technology to get it up and running. Mere know-how of how solar heaters work will get you through the process.
4. No Power Cuts
If you use electric or gas heaters for a greenhouse, you fear the power going out. However, a properly set up solar heater will give you constant power. It also prevents your prize crop from being destroyed in an extensive power outage.
4. Favorable to the Environment
The sun is not only renewable but also a clean source of energy. This process does not produce harmful by-products or substances while heating the greenhouse. Therefore, you contribute towards a clean and green environment by reducing the carbon footprint.
FAQs
Can you power a greenhouse with solar panels?
Solar panels can power a greenhouse. They are an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to provide heating, cooling, and lighting energy. Solar panels can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency.
How many solar panels does it take to run a greenhouse?
Is solar panel for greenhouse. Solar panels can be used to power a greenhouse, and the number of panels required depends on the size of the greenhouse, the amount of sunlight it receives, and the energy needs of the plants inside. A general rule of thumb is that a greenhouse requires about 200 watts of power per square meter, so the number of solar panels needed will depend on the size of the greenhouse and the wattage of the solar panels being used.
How do you use a solar panel for a greenhouse?
A solar panel is a device that generates electricity from sunlight to power the greenhouse’s electrical systems. Solar panels must be installed in a location that receives direct sunlight for most of the day. Once installed, the solar panel can be connected to the greenhouse’s electrical system to power lights, fans, heaters, and other electrical devices.
Will solar lights charge in a greenhouse?
Solar lights can charge in a greenhouse if they receive sufficient sunlight. However, the amount of sunlight that penetrates the greenhouse may be reduced due to the shading effect of the greenhouse structure and any plants inside. Additionally, the temperature inside the greenhouse may be higher than outside, which can affect the performance and lifespan of the solar lights.