Presentation: 2025 ND EPSCoR Annual conference 

October 21, 2025, NDSU Memorial Union, Fargo, North Dakota

Integrating Renewable Energy for Sustainable Agriculture in Extreme Climates

Greenhouses are essential for extending growing seasons and enabling year-round plant cultivation, particularly in colder climates where harsh winters can otherwise limit agricultural production. However, maintaining optimal conditions for plant growth requires substantial energy, especially for heating in the winter and cooling during the summer. Traditional energy sources for heating and cooling, such as electric or gas-powered systems, are not only expensive but also environmentally unsustainable. This project aims to address these energy challenges by integrating solar energy into a greenhouse’s heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. By reducing reliance on grid electricity and fossil fuels, the project proposes a more sustainable solution to greenhouse energy demands in regions with extreme climates, such as Fargo, ND. The system has been implemented and a 15-20oF temperature increase has been maintained throughout the cold days in the winter of 2024. Through the self-developed solar snow fence and the greenhouse environment control devices, a stable controlled agriculture environment is conducive to year-round vegetable production.