The Chinese Greenhouse by Dan Chiras

The Chinese Greenhouse by Dan Chiras

Grow Fresh Vegetables Year-Round Using Only the Sun
Produce abundant fruits and vegetables through fall, winter, and early spring without paying for heat. Chinese solar greenhouses—earth-sheltered, east-west oriented, well-insulated, and intelligently glazed—allow you to grow warm-weather crops in cold climates using passive solar energy alone.

What You'll Gain and Learn

• Design and Build your Greenhouse: Step-by-step guidance for creating a self-sufficient, solar-powered structure.
• Maximize Heat Efficiency: Techniques to store solar energy and keep crops warm on cold nights.
• Extend your Growing Season: Grow tomatoes, peppers, and other warm-weather vegetables, even in freezing temperatures.
• Summer Cooling Solutions: Maintain optimal growing conditions without losing energy.
• Flexible Growing Methods: Harvest year-round using soil beds or aquaponic systems.

Written by Dan Chiras, PhD, author of 38 books on solar energy, sustainability, and self-sufficiency, this guide blends practical instruction with proven strategies. His methods have been featured in Mother Earth News, Solar Today, and Home Power, and he has taught workshops for the American Solar Energy Society and University of Colorado.

Transform your backyard into a productive, solar-powered garden and enjoy fresh produce year-round. With clear illustrations, actionable tips, and step-by-step guidance, building and operating your own Chinese greenhouse has never been easier.

Dan Chiras, PhD, is the author of 38 books, including Solar Electricity Basics, Power from the Wind, Power from the Sun, and The Homeowners Guide to Renewable Energy. He has taught workshops on solar electricity and passive solar heating for the Evergreen Institute, the American Solar Energy Society, the Colorado Renewable Energy Society, the Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association, and the University of Colorado. Over the past 45 years, Dan has published articles on natural building, green building, solar electricity, passive solar design, self-sufficiency, and sustainability in publications such as Solar Today, Home Power, and Mother Earth News. He has installed numerous solar electric and wind systems in Missouri and has lived on solar electricity since 1996. He lives on a solar- and wind-powered farm in Gerald, MO.