Creating an optimal climate for growing peppers in Almería with Harmony 3845 screen
In Almería, Spain, a region known for being a pioneer in modern agriculture and for its extensive hectares of greenhouses, we find Enrique Peña, a grower who has decided to face the challenges of growing peppers by implementing Svensson's Climate Solutions. Enrique has been able to optimize the conditions of his greenhouse, opening new possibilities to maximize and increase the productivity and quality of his crops. He has also demonstrated how innovation and efficient climate management can transform greenhouse growing challenges into opportunities. We invite you to read his story to learn more about greenhouse growing in Almería.
In the southeast of Spain, where the Mediterranean climate provides ideal conditions for agriculture, lies Almería, one of Europe's leading vegetable producers and exporters. Known as the "Sea of Plastic", this name refers to the endless hectares of greenhouses that dominate the region's landscape. Almería is also characterized by its summers with high temperatures and cold winters with very low temperatures, conditions that can negatively affect the growth of greenhouse crops.
The challenges of growing peppers in the "Sea of Plastic"
The extreme conditions of Almería, mainly the high summer temperatures, make it a constant challenge for growers in the region to create optimal growing conditions for crops such as peppers, which require careful management to ensure good yield and quality. The optimal temperature for peppers should be between 20°C and 30°C during the day and between 16°C and 20°C at night. Temperatures above these values can negatively impact growth and production. Additionally, humidity should ideally be maintained between 60% and 70%.
The grower Enrique Peña knew that the decision to start this year with a new crop of peppers, which would not only be competitive in the market, but also meet the highest quality standards, would come with the challenges that this crop presents. Aware of the importance of implementing new technologies and looking to improve the efficiency and productivity of his crops, Enrique turned to Svensson's Climate Solutions to optimize the conditions of his greenhouses, relying on the advice and experience of Nelson Pérez, Climate Consultant and Svensson's representative in Spain.
Finding the best climate solution with a radiometer and a thermal camera
Before making the decision on which screen to install in the greenhouse, in order to meet pepper's climate requirements, Nelson conducted a series of trials using a radiometer and a thermal camera. With the radiometer, Nelson was able to identify the amount of solar radiation entering the greenhouse and reaching the crops, as well as the optimal energy that the peppers need to receive.
Controlling and optimizing solar radiation inside the greenhouse is crucial to increase productivity and improve crop quality. With climate screens, growers can regulate the amount of radiation entering the greenhouse, maintaining optimal temperatures and preventing plant stress. This control of solar radiation not only improves greenhouse efficiency, but also ensures that crops receive the exact amount of energy needed to grow. In this way, growers ensure a high-quality plants.
On the other hand, using the thermal camera, a tool used to monitor and analyze the temperature of the plants, Nelson was able to show Enrique, in real time, the level of stress that the plants were experiencing due to the increased temperature in the greenhouse.
Thanks to these trials and the detailed analysis conducted by Nelson Pérez of these and other factors in the greenhouse, the climate solution that would help create a better climate for the optimal growth of the peppers was identified.
Harmony 3845: A key factor for successful pepper growth
On February 2, 2024, Enrique began pepper production in his greenhouse, which will conclude by the end of this year, using the Climate Screen Harmony 3845. The decision to install the Harmony 3845 was made based on its ability to diffuse and transmit sunlight evenly within the greenhouse, ensuring that all plants receive the same amount of light. This screen also helps prevent thermal stress in the peppers, which can impact their growth and production.
Since the installation of Harmony 3845, Enrique has been able to maintain an optimal climate in the greenhouse, which has allowed the peppers to grow faster and healthier. This success has resulted in increased productivity and yield, proving that the Harmony climate screen has been a key element in achieving superior quality in his peppers.
“It's been a really good improvement, you can get a higher yield from the crop because with the screen the right amount of radiation enters to reach the plants,” says Enrique, satisfied with the results obtained since the installation of the screen.
Enrique Peña's story is an example of how technology and innovation can tackle the challenges of agriculture in a region where extreme climate conditions are a constant obstacle. He has become a model for other growers in Almería. By implementing Svensson's Climate Solutions and leveraging the knowledge of Nelson Pérez, Enrique has optimized the conditions within his greenhouses, achieving exceptional productivity and quality in his pepper crops.
