Greenhouse designs for Mexico. Aguascalientes, Querétaro and Sinaloa

Abstract

This study reports on the environmental and economic impacts of greenhouses with different technological levels in the states of Aguascalientes, Querétaro and Sinaloa in Mexico. Seven technology levels were evaluated, varying in the type of substrate, covering material, heating, CO2 enrichment, misting, screens, and the use of re-circulation. Increased technology results in increased production. With increased technology, water use increases (with the exception of the highest level of technology, a semi-closed greenhouse), energy use increases (with the exception of a greenhouse with a screen and a glass-covered greenhouse), water use efficiency increases, but energy use efficiency decreases (with the exception of a glass-covered greenhouse). Net income is highest for a glass-covered greenhouse for Aguascalientes and Querétaro, and for systems with heating, CO2, misting and screens for Sinaloa. If the most simple and closed greenhouse for Aguascalientes and Querétaro are excluded (because they are very different technological levels), then pay-back periods for the remaining scenarios do not differ very much. The pay-back period for Sinaloa is shortest for a system with heating and CO2. Opportunities for the Netherlands supply industry exist in the (further) introduction of recirculation systems (water saving), heating (production, net income), screens and glass greenhouse cover (energy saving, production, net income), geothermal energy and solar panels (renewable energy)