High-Light-Transmission Anti-Aging Covering Materials: An Innovative Solution for Energy Saving and Consumption Reduction
In the global modernization of agriculture, greenhouse technology, as a core component of facility agriculture, is undergoing unprecedented technological innovation. This article focuses on China's independently developed new covering materials such as PO film and photovoltaic glass, analyzing how they bring revolutionary changes to the modern greenhouse industry by improving light transmittance, extending service life, and reducing energy consumption.
I. Current Development and Challenges of Greenhouse Covering Materials in China
Traditional greenhouse (plastic greenhouses, glass green houses) covering materials, such as ordinary PE film and PVC panels, face issues like rapid light transmittance decay, short service life, and high energy consumption, which severely constrain the efficiency and sustainability of greenhouse production. With the continuous expansion of China's facility agriculture scale (currently exceeding 4 million hectares), the demand for high-performance covering materials is growing rapidly.
II. PO Film: The Optimal Choice for Plastic Greenhouses
PO film (polyolefin film) is a significant breakthrough China has achieved in the field of plastic greenhouses in recent years. Compared to traditional PE film, PO film demonstrates remarkable improvements in light transmittance, weather resistance, and service life, making it the preferred covering material for plastic greenhouses in China.
1、Exceptional High-Light-Transmission Properties
China's independently developed PO film achieves an initial light transmittance of 91–93%, far surpassing the 85–88% of ordinary greenhouse plastic film PE film. The secret lies in its special material formulation and three-layer co-extrusion process:
Outer layer: UV inhibitors and anti-dust additives
Middle layer: High-transparency polyolefin base material
Inner layer: Anti-fogging treatment layer
This structural design ensures that the greenhouse plastic film PO film not only maintains high initial light transmittance but also effectively reduces light transmittance decay during use. Test data show that high-quality greenhouse plastic film PO film can retain a light transmittance of over 85% after three years of use, whereas ordinary greenhouse plastic film PE film typically drops below 75%.
2、Outstanding Anti-Aging Performance
China's new greenhouse plastic film PO film significantly enhances anti-aging performance by adding composite light stabilizers and antioxidants. Laboratory accelerated aging tests indicate:
Service life of ordinary greenhouse plastic film PE film: 1–2 years；
Service life of domestic high-quality greenhouse plastic film PO film: 3–5 years；
Service life of imported high-end greenhouse plastic film PO film: 5–8 years；
Notably, the PO film products developed by leading domestic companies, such as [Company Name], have achieved a service life of over five years, fully meeting the durability requirements of modern plastic greenhouses.
3、Remarkable Energy-Saving and Consumption-Reducing Effects
The thermal insulation performance of PO film is 20–30% higher than that of PE film, primarily due to:
High infrared blocking rate (over 70%);
Excellent sealing performance, reducing heat loss;
Long-lasting anti-fogging function, avoiding temperature drops caused by the "rain effect."
Practical applications show that in northern regions during winter, greenhouses using PO film can save 15–20% of heating energy consumption compared to those using greenhouse plastic film PE film, delivering significant economic benefits.
III. Photovoltaic Glass: A Revolutionary Upgrade for Venlo Glass Green Houses
Venlo glass green houses, as representatives of high-end greenhouses, traditionally use ordinary float glass as covering material. China's innovative photovoltaic glass technology has brought dual breakthroughs in performance enhancement and functional expansion to Venlo greenhouses.
1、Perfect Combination of High Light Transmittance and Power Generation
China's latest transparent photovoltaic glass achieves:
Visible light transmittance ≥ 85% (comparable to ordinary greenhouse glass);
Photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 18–20%;
Optimized diffuse scattering characteristics, reducing crop sunburn.
This glass ensures normal greenhouse lighting needs while utilizing solar energy for power generation, enabling an energy model of "self-generation for self-use, surplus electricity fed into the grid." A 1-hectare photovoltaic Venlo glass green house can generate 300,000–500,000 kWh annually, basically meeting its own energy demand.
2、Ultra-Strong Durability Design
Photovoltaic glass features:
Tempered treatment, improving impact resistance by 3–5 times;
Double-layer hollow structure, enhancing thermal insulation by 40%;
Special coating, reducing dust adhesion and improving self-cleaning capability.
Practical applications show that photovoltaic glass can achieve a service life of over 25 years in greenhouse environments, far exceeding traditional covering materials.
3、Smart Light Adjustment and Energy-Saving Innovations
The latest generation of photovoltaic glass also integrates smart light-adjusting functions:
Automatically adjusts light transmittance based on light intensity;
Synchronizes with greenhouse environmental control systems to optimize light and thermal conditions;
Seasonal light transmittance adjustments to adapt to different crop needs.
These smart features can reduce comprehensive greenhouse energy consumption by 30–40% while improving crop yield and quality.
IV. Application Benefits Analysis of New Covering Materials
The adoption of China's independently developed new greenhouse covering materials can bring comprehensive benefits to users:
1、Economic Benefits
Plastic greenhouses (greenhouse plastic film PO film): Payback period of 2–3 years;
Photovoltaic glass green houses: 3–5 years (considering power generation revenue);
Overall operational costs reduced by 20–30%.
2、Production Benefits
Crop yield increased by 15–25%;
Improved quality, higher premium product rate;
Shortened production cycles, increased harvest rotations.
3、Environmental Benefits
Energy consumption per unit yield reduced by 30–50%;
Significant CO2 emission reduction;
High recyclability of materials.
V. Future Development Trends
China's greenhouse covering material technology continues to advance rapidly, with future trends including:
Functional Integration: Single materials achieving multiple functions like light transmission, power generation, temperature adjustment, and humidity control;
Intelligentization: Embedded sensors for real-time monitoring and automatic adjustment of material performance;
Customization: Development of specialized materials tailored to regional climate conditions and crop needs;
Green Development: Further improving recyclability and biodegradability.
Conclusion
As a leading enterprise in China's greenhouse construction industry, we are always at the forefront of technological innovation. Whether for plastic greenhouses or Venlo glass green houses, selecting the right covering material is crucial. The widespread application of new covering materials such as greenhouse plastic film PO film and photovoltaic glass is reshaping the landscape of China's greenhouse industry, injecting strong momentum into the modernization of facility agriculture. We look forward to collaborating with domestic and international partners to advance greenhouse technology and contribute Chinese wisdom and solutions to global agricultural sustainable development.
