Final Project Report
Terence Frank
GEO426 (4/20/2014) URL:
Target:
This project was performed to design and develop a suitability map that determines the
potential locations for the construction of (2) Passive Solar Greenhouses.
Passive Solar Greenhouse (PSGH) background:
The purpose of this type of greenhouse is to harvest as much sunlight as possible to
extend your growing season of typical warm season crops (Tomatoes, Lettuce, Potatoes, etc) or
have a year round operation that provides cool crops (Carrots, Asian greens, Kale, Scallions,
etc) that are harvested more often and during winter months, which typical farming operations
cannot provide due to Michigan's harsh winters. The double inflated polyethylene layers provides
a "greenhouse" like effect that allows the house to maintain reasonable conditions for crop
growth/sustainability even in the coldest months (Jan.-Feb.). This in combination with elevated
bed or cold frames inside the house can provide additional support to sustaining growing
conditions. (Passive Solar Greenhouse information collected from Eliot Coleman’s Winter
Harvest Handbook, MSU PSGH coursework and Dr. Biernbaum's HRT 242 Passive Solar
Greenhouses for Protected Cultivation book).
As previously mentioned in the proposal, the area of interest is two joining property sites that are
in the process of seeking permits to be developed as a farm (all zoning districts permit farming
but sites must be greater than 10 acres) and the possibility of making these permanent structures
(poured concrete footings), which also requires further review by the Zoning & Planning
Commission of Emmet County. The location of the area of interest is in Friendship Township,
Emmet County, Michigan (PLSS: North 1/2 of the Northwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section
20, T36N R6W). To spatially locate the property I collected surveyor data from North Star
Surveyors to accurately locate it within the Public Land Survey System, as well as symbolize
some of the major nodes and boundaries of the property. This was achieved by georeferencing
the DWG drawing file to the PLSS system in ArcGIS. Once the boundaries and nodes were
found, I used the Friendship Township DEM to develop slope, aspect and solar concentration
layers. Each layer serves a specific purpose in the development of the Passive Solar Greenhouses
and contributes greatly to how successful (crop yield) the houses will be.
Criteria:
Slope layer – (< 10% slope to provide a relatively level site for construction with a slight grade
to help promote excess irrigation drainage so water does not pool or flood crops. This relatively low
change in grade will also protect from leeching of highly organic material need for plant growth. This
situation is most problematic during spring thaw and heavy rain events.)
Aspect layer – (South or Southeast orientated slope face preferred. The direction of the slope
face is very important when it comes to PSGH’s that will be utilized during winter months. Due to the
sites location, above the 45th parallel we will be receiving the most direct sunlight form the South
(equator). It is also reasonable to include Southeast facing slopes because this sun is heating the earth’s
surface the most during the first half of the day due to its relative distance and angle from the earth’s
surface compared to later in the day when the sun is not as direct.)
Solar Concentration – (This layer is the concentration and directness of incoming solar
radiation. It provides us with areas that receive the most direct concentration of solar radiation based on
the existing surface features such as steep hills, low valleys and any other geomorphic feature that may
cause a decrease in solar radiation concentration.)
Process:
Once the layers and criteria were set, I could perform my analysis. This was achieved by
reclassing each individual layer to the set criteria, mentioned above, by giving areas of that fall
within the criteria 1 and everything else 0. This created (3) individual bicolored maps denoting
areas specified by the PSGH criteria. Now that we’ve got all the components of the criteria
mapped we can use the ‘Combine Function’ to incorporate all the elements of the criteria so that
a unique output value is assigned to each unique combination of input values. (Spatial Analyst
tool: Local; Combine – add reclass slope, reclass aspect and reclass solar concentration). This
results in a suitability map, which I then applied a divergent color scheme (green to red) denoting
areas of most and least suitability for the construction of (2) PSGH’s within our AOI. These best
suited areas were then further analyzed for existing vegetation cover, relative location to access
trails and farm house. Furthermore, it’s suggested that a site almost double the area of the
PSGH’s be prepared/cultivated prior to construction to promote healthy growth and decrease the
chances of weeds. The PSGH site (100ft x 100ft) was then digitalized and placed in the most
applicable area. In addition to this map I choose to include an inset map of the area best suitable
that would further show the design and potential locations of the PSGH. The PSGH’s will be
orientated east-west to provide crops with full solar exposure for the duration of the day. Since
we are constructing two PSGH’s, they will need to be placed parallel to each other (east-west
orientation) and be spaced properly to avoid shadows cast by the PSGH itself (it is suggested that
the distance between be twice the height of the PSGH; average height 14-16’ = ~30ft spacing). It
was also vital to include the well location and irrigation frost-free hydrant for the tentative
location of water and electrical lines needs for the construction of the PSGH’s.
Data Sources:
 Surveyor data/DWG drawing (North Star Surveyors)
 MIGDL (Road layers, Hydro layers, PLSS, Township)
 Emmet County GIS tax parcel data (Emmet County GIS/Equalization website)
 USGS (DEM)
 USDA/FSA/DNR (Aerial imagery of Emmet County)
 Garmin GPS (nodes and tracks)
Summary:
In general, I followed the basic format of my project proposal with a few exception and
alterations. I choose not to include the buffer layer in the criteria because based on a visual
assessment of the existing vegetation it would create a huge amount of addition work to remove
trees, cultivate and prepare soil if the potential site was to be located in a forested region. If I
were to perform this analysis again I would change several things. I would like to include a soil
type within the criteria to improve drainage and its ability to hold highly organic material. I
would also like to include other characteristics found on the farm such as the apple orchard or
terraces, these areas were excluded from being a potential location for the site and could be
digitalized to visually show relative location on the farm, rather than visually depicting the aerial
imagery.