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 exclusively Chinese invention. The structures of solar greenhouses vary across regions and there are many classification methods. By wall material, there are earthen rammed wall 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-fold, three-fold, arched, and slightly arched styles. By structure, there are 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, 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 greenhouses by replacing the light-transmitting cover material on the front slope with plastic film instead of glass. Solar greenhouses are characterized by good insulation, low investment, and energy-saving, making them particularly suitable for use in economically underdeveloped rural areas in our country.