Using the energy of
little Green Fingers
Things you need to know
Each winner will receive:
- An 8' x 12' Hercules II Greenhouse
- An experimental renewable heating system
- A set of six children's gardening tools, watering cans and aprons
The greenhouse
The lucky winners will receive a greenhouse from the brand new Hercules range, supplied by The Greenhouse People, which has all the features that help create the perfect greenhouse environment. The structure has a green finish and has been specially designed to withstand adverse weather conditions, especially the wind.
This new Hercules II Greenhouse has all the top features that you would expect from a greenhouse.
- 4' wide double doorway
- Toughened safety glass (large panes)
- 18' kick panes
- 5'5" eaves
- Low level threshold (no step at the door)
- Lockable sliding double doors
- Good ventilation (automatic roof vents, plus louver side vents)
- Guttering and downpipes for both sides
- Hanging basket rails
- Green PVC bar capping system
- Extra strong frame
- Extra cantilever roof braces
Click here for more information on the 8 x 12 Hercules II Greenhouse.
Click here for more information on how to assemble the greenhouse.
Click here for more information on how to prepare the base of the greenhouse.
The greenhouse heating system
npower believe its really important to bring the learning of energy to life as we understand it can be a tricky concept for younger kids to understand. We thought that a greenhouse heated by a solar panel and a heat-sink box would be a very effective way to show children the sun's energy, the solar panel, the warmed greenhouse and the plants benefiting.
But we couldn’t find an existing system suitable for a school environment, so we decided to create our own experiment! With help and advice from leading renewable technology experts, Sundog Energy Limited, you can test out a special heating system that npower is trialling we created a new type of heating system. The system aims to extend the growing period and keep the greenhouse frost free at night.
It is really important that the winning schools understand that this system has not been tried and tested but is a worthwhile experiment - we will see if the system works whilst the children learn. We will ask schools to monitor their results so we can communicate the findings of this experiment to others.
Our ideas were inspired by the greenhouse heating system put together by Dick Strawbridge and shown on the BBC2 programme Its Not Easy Being Green (to find out more click here).
We had to modify this technique to ensure we had a system that is safe for children - hence the removal of the battery. We also replaced the heatsink hole in the ground in an attempt to make the project easier for teachers. You will be joining us in an exciting educational experiment to see if the system works!
Assembling the heating system for your greenhouse
Please click here to find out all you need to on assembling your heating system.
Associated costs
Please bear in mind that there are additional costs that the winning schools will need to incur to erect the greenhouse and assemble the heating system, which includes the base for the greenhouse, gravel for the heating system and soil, seeds, pots and other equipment to grow plants. The cost of materials for the base of the greenhouse is estimated at £170 (for the cement, sand and paving slabs) and £20 for the pea gravel for the heating system. Please note that these amounts are for guidance only.
