Solar greenhouses are simple structures that maximize solar energy, typically used for winter vegetable cultivation without heating in cold regions, and they are distinctly characterized by Chinese features. They are an exclusive facility in China. The structures of solar greenhouses vary across regions and there are 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 shape, there are two-folding, three-folding, arched round, and slightly arched shapes. 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 thermal insulation blankets at night, while 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 underdeveloped rural areas in our country.