im not a pro, but there is a huge startup cost as well as trying to find a market for produce that is more expensive than soil grown. i would venture to say 9 out of 10 hydroponic greenhouses fold in the first 5 years. ~Ryan

I have seen very successful hydroponic growers, but the greenhouses relied on heat energy below $1/million btu.

The last successful one I saw was using waste heat from a cogeneration operation.

This hydro operation was also near the Toronto market which would pay whatever is asked for fresh veg in the dead of winter. He was getting $4/lb for tomatos.

There was just a place in central Il that started up,
10 acres under glass all hydro.. I think it's called
Midwest greenhouse in Clinton, IL. Everything is from
holland, materials that is and all they grow is peppers.
hal

Sorry that's Maroa, il. hal