Water, land, and energy use efficiencies and financial evaluation of air conditioner cooled greenhouses based on field experiments

High temperature and humidity can be controlled in greenhouses by using mechanical refrigeration cooling system such as air conditioner (AC) warm humid regions. This study aims to evaluate the techno-financial aspects of AC-cooled greenhouse compared evaporative cooled (EV-cooled) winter summer seasons. Two quonset single-span prototype were built Agriculture Experiment Station Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, with dimensions 6.0 m long 3.0 wide. The was covered a rockwool insulated polyethylene plastic sheet light emitting diodes (LED) lights used source light, while EV-cooled transparent sunlight source. Three cultivars high-value lettuce grown for experimentation. To technical efficiency performance, we conducted measures on land use (LUE), water (WUE), gross (GWUE) energy (EUE). Financial analysis compare profitability both greenhouses. results showed that LUE 10.10 14.50 kg/m2 AC- greenhouses, respectively. However, values reduced near 6.80 summer. WUE higher than 3.8% 26.8% GWUE measure total yield consumption including irrigation water; it seasons almost 98.0%–99.4%. EUE winter, return, net return benefit-to-cost ratio better greenhouse, summer, those greenhouse. internal rate 63.4% 129.3%, In investment highly sensitive changes price, cost. financial performance pattern opposite winter. Finally, more studies optimum LED intensity any particular crop have over different growing order enhance quantity quality crop.