Solar-Assisted Greenhouse Design for Year-Round Microtuber Cultivation

The demand for sustainable agricultural practices and year-round food security has prompted innovations in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). Microtubers, particularly of potato and related tuber crops, represent a critical input for rapid seed multiplication, yet their production remains seasonally constrained under conventional greenhouse systems. This study investigates a solar-assisted greenhouse design as an eco-efficient approach for continuous microtuber cultivation. The design integrates passive solar architecture, photovoltaic (PV) modules, and thermal energy storage to stabilize temperature and humidity while reducing reliance on gridbased electricity and fossil-fuel heating. A comparative experimental framework is employed, contrasting solarassisted and conventional greenhouses across seasonal cycles. Performance metrics include energy efficiency,
thermal stability, and microtuber yield, with additional focus on resource-use efficiency and carbon footprint
reduction. Preliminary findings suggest that solar integration improves energy self-sufficiency by up to 40% while maintaining optimal growth conditions (20–24°C, 65–75% RH) crucial for microtuber induction. Furthermore the system demonstrates resilience under fluctuating climatic conditions, enabling off-season cultivation and
enhancing overall productivity. Beyond technical outcomes, the paper critically examines the economic viability,
scalability, and environmental trade-offs of solar-assisted designs, positioning them as a viable pathway toward
sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture. By bridging renewable energy innovation with plant biotechnology,
this study highlights the potential of solar-assisted greenhouses to revolutionize seed-tuber systems and contribute to food security in an era of resource constraints and climate uncertainty