Solar greenhouse is a relatively simple facility that maximizes solar energy, typically used in cold regions for winter vegetable cultivation without heating. The cultivation facilities for fresh vegetables, known as solar greenhouses, have distinct Chinese characteristics and are an exclusive facility in our country. The structure of solar greenhouses varies by region, with multiple classification methods. By wall material, they are mainly earthen walls, brick and stone structures, and composite structures. By rear slope length, they are long-slope and short-slope greenhouses; by front slope shape, they are two-fold, three-fold, arched round, and slightly arched. By structure, they include bamboo and wood, steel and wood, reinforced concrete, all steel, all reinforced concrete, suspension cable, and hot-dip galvanized steel pipe assembly structures.

The front slope is covered with insulating blankets at night, and the east, west, and north sides are single-slope plastic greenhouses with protective walls, collectively known as solar greenhouses. Their prototype is a single-slope glass greenhouse, which evolves into the early solar greenhouse by replacing the light-transmitting covering material on the front slope with plastic film instead of glass. Solar greenhouses are characterized by good insulation, low investment, and energy conservation, making them particularly suitable for use in economically underdeveloped rural areas in our country.