Greenhouse Microclimate Management and Solar Energy - A Review of Possibilities for Botswana amid Climate Change Challenges

Botswana's climate is characterised by extreme conditions, exacerbated by climate change, which pose challenges for greenhouse horticulture and contribute to food insecurity. To mitigate these impacts, energy input in greenhouses is essential, and solar energy technologies present sustainable solutions for rural, resource-constrained farmers. This review examines the potential for managing greenhouse microclimates in Botswana using solar-based solutions, highlighting their strengths and limitations. It also identifies potential barriers to their broader adoption and recommends remedial measures to address these issues. Viable solutions include conventional photovoltaic modules and solar thermal storage systems, such as ground or rock-bed storage. Futuristic, semi-transparent organic solar cells show promise due to their in-house electricity generation and lower cooling loads, despite challenges such as lower efficiency and shorter lifespans. However, no single technology can effectively manage the microclimate in Botswana, highlighting the need for an integrated approach that combines various technologies. Barriers to adopting solar solutions include policy gaps, skills shortages, financial constraints, and inadequate research among local institutions. Recommendations to mitigate these barriers include enhancing policies and regulatory frameworks, developing innovative funding models, establishing a renewable energy research centre, and fostering collaborative research among local, regional, and international partners, as well as the development of responsive and robust curricula by local training institutions. • Extreme environmental conditions and climate change impacts constrain Botswana’s greenhouse horticulture. • Solar-based solutions provide sustainable energy options for microclimate management to promote optimum crop productivity. • Greenhouse-integrated augmented photovoltaic-thermal systems are suited for rural horticulture applications in hot climates. • Stronger policies, innovative funding models, research and development, aligned curricula are needed for faster adoption.