12,000-square-foot Aquaponics Greenhouse Facility

[Daniel E Murphy]

A new way to cultivate in Lenoir City

[Sylvia Bernstein]

Thanks for posting this - I'll put up on the Home page for a while.  I wonder if "rely on solar power" means 100% or just supplementing?

[Daniel E Murphy]

Well, my guess would be 100%.  I think that's awesome!!  This is cheap food!

[Sylvia Bernstein]

Absolutely.  It could become a real model for commercial aquaponics facilities if he is able to pull it off.  Joel Townsend is actually a member in here.  We should ask him directly...

[RupertofOZ]

The website says...

 

" Our facility will utilize active solar panels with a minimum of 7 kw/hr capacity."

 

That's going to be a lot of solar panels... and a lot of cost...

 

Website also says that initially the intend to sell through "farmers markets"... and eventually "wholesale"...

 

Seems to suggest that the operation is going to start on a smaller scale and then ramp up...

 

Question is... will the return be sufficient for them to do so... especially with the Capex of setting up the solar...

Sylvia Bernstein said:

Thanks for posting this - I'll put up on the Home page for a while.  I wonder if "rely on solar power" means 100% or just supplementing?

[Sylvia Bernstein]

totally agree with your concerns, Rupe.  But, if they can pull it off wouldn't that be an incredible breakthrough?  I'm certainly rooting for them. (like the pun? )

[Jay Wolf]

I kinda of agree with with the ROI aspect of the idea.  Don't get me wrong, I think the concept is really good!  It's none of my business, but I guess if you have the capital to afford the panels, why not go for it?!?!?  I just don't think this is a model for Joe Shmo to use.  I do wish them the best and I, too, hope it works!!

[Daniel E Murphy]

To me it appears to be a model for future greenhouses... We will see I guess.

[Chuck Lee]

I think he filed Chapter 7. Sure would like to learn what went wrong.