Solar greenhouses are simple structures that maximize solar energy, typically used in cold regions without heating for winter vegetable cultivation. These facilities for growing fresh vegetables are distinctly Chinese in character and are an exclusive facility in our country. The structure of solar greenhouses varies across regions, with numerous classification methods. By wall material, they mainly include rammed earth greenhouses, brick and stone structures, and composite structures. By rear slope length, there are long rear slope and short rear slope greenhouses; by front slope form, there are two-fold, three-fold, arched round, and slightly arched styles. By structure, they include bamboo and wood, steel and wood, reinforced concrete, all-steel, all-reinforced concrete, suspended cable, and hot-dip galvanized steel pipe assembly structures.

The front slope is covered with insulation 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, where the transparent covering material on the front slope is replaced with plastic film instead of glass, thus evolving into the early solar greenhouses. Solar greenhouses are characterized by good insulation, low investment, and energy-saving, making them highly suitable for use in economically underdeveloped rural areas in our country.