Background
On Estidamah, the Low-tech greenhouses are single-span pad and fan-cooled high tunnels.
The medium-tech greenhouses are tall, multi-span, glass-covered greenhouses with a soilless growing system, a
heating system and a controllable shade screen. The Medium-tech greenhouses are also pad & fan-cooled.
The High Tech greenhouses are also glass cladded, tall greenhouses. Instead of a pad and fan cooling system, the
Hi-Tech greenhouses are equipped with air conditioning, which allows to seal the greenhouse environment from the
outside air.
Because of this sealed environment, CO2 can be injected to elevate the inside concentration to 800 ppm that
promotes production. High technology level makes the greenhouse more expensive, of course, which has to be paid
back from additional production value and from savings on resources.
In Saudi Arabia, water consumption can be diminished by the application of high-tech greenhouses to increase
production. On the other side, expenditures on electricity go up with increased technology level, just as the
capital costs.
