Solar Greenhouse

The main task of a greenhouse is to collect solar energy. The greenhouse captures light through its walls and converts it to heat. The effect is similar to that of a vehicle with the windows up. It takes only a few minutes for light coming in a window to warm up the vehicle to a temperature significantly higher than the outside temperature. Greenhouses work the same way. The darker material within the greenhouse helps to store heat, keeping the surrounding air warmer. The greenhouse is a closed-in environment, which means there are no breezes to push the heat away. The structure is often made of glass, or glass-like material that helps to attract the sun's rays. Without a breeze, the air within the greenhouse heats up quickly and remains warm. This creates the ideal area for plants to grow.