Greenhouses are expensive, aren't they? I can almost guarantee you that if you continue to use the GH, you will wish you had run that electricity back there.

Imqtpi has a solar fan, check the "Ad'Vent'tures..." thread, right near the top.

Solar heater? I don't think so.

Take care that the extension cord is properly sized and made safe.

have you already purchased a GH?
If not, check out growingdomes.com

It depends on what you want a greenhouse to do. I'd suggest you research a lot before making that decision. I worked in a commercial greenhouse as a teenager, and always wanted one of my own, but knowing the cost (especailly heating) I waited.

Then I read 4 SEASON HARVEST by Elliot Coleman. Now I have a "solar" greenhouse that extends my harvest through winter. It won't grow orchids, but it costs virtually nothing now that it is up.

A solar light would be a simple addition, since they are now readily available for sheds and such.

Good Luck.

You really ought to check your local zoning. I can not see any reason that it would cost that much unless you are not handy at all. And come to think of it I believe you did state earlier that you were. Adding another breaker to your electrical box is no big deal IF YOU ARE CAREFUL and you can run Romex cable without conduit in most places. It also does not have to be underground. If you live out in the country you can just about do what you want.
1eyedJack and the Dawg

Codes are written for a reason, and that reason is your safety. I'm no electrician, but I do know that regular Romex should not be used without conduit. Underground is considered damp, and regular Romex is not rated for damp locations.

Be safe!

SB

For a 10x12, you'd need several (I'd guess at least 4) HF Solar Fans to cool your GH. Plus shade-cloth.

I've discovered that my one HF fan is only 85% efficient for my 6x8. And, honestly, 85% efficiency ain't good! (although I've got it down to I'm "on the fence" as far as to whether the HF Solar Fan was such a good purchase (Hubbie loves it - but he's a "Techie-Geek!"). The panels are rather cumbersome and don't put out all that much amperage (compared to the 'real estate' they require). And, like I said, one fan just isn't enough!

Solar lighting: Easy to do. Relatively inexpensive, too. There're lots of options out there - just don't expect anything too bright. We've got a solar-powered light in our shed, and it's *just* bright enough to keep you from stubbing your toe on something when you walk in (still need a flashlight if you want to find anything!!!). It's definitely not bright enough to sustain plant life! Still... Not a bad idea - and "OK" Bang-for-the-Buck.

Solar-powered Heating: Forget it. Heaters require far too much amperage for a 12V system. But there are other options, I'm sure (and tons of threads on GW if you search "heating greenhouse"). Me: I'm just gonna deal w/the extension cord and a 120V heater (and X-Mas Lights) when the temps drop below freezing.

Another alternative energy source is wind power to charge a 12V system. But you'd have to be out in the boonies (w/consistent wind, of course). Unfortunately wind-generators are mondo-expensive. And definitely not practical in my locale (Suburbia - w/zoning restrictions, etc.).

Wind power seems very under-utilized IMHO. I really wish there were more options available.

But I'm going off on a tangent, aren't I?!! (Oh, well!)

I lived on a boat for 6 yrs - hence my interest in 12V systems. One of my 'neighbors' had a wind generator rigged up on his trimaran.

Downside: It was kinda noisy (whirring) - but his boat wasn't next-door to mine!

Upside: Our marina was nicknamed "Hurricane Gulch" - so I think it's safe to assume his batteries were topped off ALL the time!

He wasn't a liveaboard, so I never had a chance to ask him what he thought of (or what he paid for!) the system, but it looked like a cool set-up!

Just my $0.02 - Keep the Change! :-)

-Nancy

Here is a link that might be useful: My HF Solar Fan Adventures...

The first winter we had an extension cord going to our small HFGH. When we got the Rion we ran electric from the garage out to the GHs. My husband dug the trench and did the work himself. Water is the problem. What it would cost to bring water to the GHs makes it impossible. I'll use the hose to fill the water-cans and the 40g tub for quick spot watering.

Have you considered using solar heating panels to heat water that would keep your greenhouse warm at night, or even in the day for that matter. You could even do something really passive like big black barrels of water that would absorb heat.

I am planning to build a smallish cistern into one of the walls of my GH/sunroom and will put a solar panel or maybe just a long black hose on the roof to heat the water up for winter.

I am trying to find a relatively inexpensive solar pump that could pump water through my panel only when the sun shines. So far in haven't had much luck finding one that can lift water up to the roof without a lot of $. I guess the panel could be more at ground level . . .