Shipping Container Farms Hydroponic Vertical Farming
Imagine being able to grow fresh produce year round almost anywhere in the world regardless of the weather conditions or having utility power. Biz-Reps Grow Solar Shipping Container Farms are designed for that purpose. Learn more about why our systems offer a significant advantage over other systems.
What is Hydroponic Shipping Container Farming?
Container farms are vertical farming systems that use modified shipping containers for growing food inside without the need for power, water, sunlight or nutrients. Essentially, the container protects a controlled environment (CEA) that is ideal for growing crops, providing a solution for sustainable agriculture in small spaces. Now you can grow fresh produce year-round, grow anytime, anywhere all year long, year-round growing in any climate, extreme conditions, replicate any growing climate, weatherproof container farms, perfect growing environment.
Biz-Reps’ Grow Solar Shipping Container Farms are versatile and can be used in almost any location around the world, including urban areas or remote worksites. It solves the problems associated with traditional farming methods, such as water scarcity, soil quality issues, and decreasing land availability. It also incorporates solar power to solve off-grid locations. Our indoor farming system enables farmers and growers to produce crops year-round, regardless of the weather, and harvest continuously throughout the year.
Grow Solar Container Farms
Our custom steel container farms feature, 20 ft x 8 ft or 40 ft x 8 ft “Turnkey” container sizes with enclosed controlled environment agriculture (CEA) hydroponic vertical farm growing technology that gives you complete control of the growing environment inside a steel purpose built container. The Grow Solar™ shipping container farm makes it possible to grow delicious food 365 days a year with thousands of high-value crops like lettuces, leafy greens, herbs, strawberry, edible flowers, microgreens and animal fodder.
Our two size containers are perfect for custom farming operations of all sizes, from small or startup businesses that are scaled for cost-effective startup and production to larger communities and businesses. Grow Solar Container Farms can be configured to be stacked high and wide to accommodate growing space demand.
Depending on the customers’ requirements, Grow Solar Container Farms allow licensed growers to be up and operating in as little as 6 to 10 weeks. The custom prefabricated, turnkey building code-compliant complex is delivered, assembled, and commissioned ready for operation, unlike traditional buildouts. This means significantly less time waiting for development and construction permits, and more time for growing and ROI.
All our systems can be ordered and equipped with standard or custom remote monitoring climate control systems, cost-effective LED lighting, HVAC/dehumidifiers and airflow systems, and security-compliant surveillance systems.
GROW SOLAR™ 20 ft x 8 ft Container Farm
Specifications:
Dimensions:
20 ft long x 8 ft wide x 9.5 ft high (exterior)
Foot Print: 160 sq ft (exterior)
Plant Grow Frame Size: 25 in. deep, x 48 in. wide x 78 in high
Bed Arrangement: 5 levels x 8 groups x 2 sides
Grow Trays: 52 holes per level
Total Plants Per Container: 1820 per cycle
Average Plant Grow Cycle for Greens: 32 days
(depending on variety and required plant maturity)
Projected Volume: based on 11.4 Grow Cycles per yr = 11.4 cycles x 1820 plants = 21,090 plants
Equivalent Land Yield – 1–3 acres annually
Features
Interior and Exterior Cameras and Digital Recording
Pro HVAC & Dehumidifier Climate Controls
Full Spectrum LED’s & Controls
Pro Intelligence Water & Nutrient Controls
Bed Mounted Cross Air Fans – variable speed
Power Requirements: 240 volt, 3 phase, 60 hz, 30 amp
Power Usage – 80 to 100 kWh/day (avg.)
Water Usage – 15 liters/day (avg.)
GROW SOLAR™ 40 ft x 8 ft Container Farm
Specifications:
Dimensions:
40 ft long x 8 ft wide x 9.5 ft high (exterior)
Foot Print: 320 sq ft (exterior)
Plant Grow Frame Size: 25 in. deep, x 48 in. wide x 78 in high
Bed Arrangement: 5 levels x 16 groups x 2 sides
Grow Trays: 52 holes per level
Total Plants Per Container: 4160 per cycle
Average Plant Grow Cycle for Greens: 32 days
(depending on variety and required plant maturity)
Projected Volume: based on 11.4 Grow Cycles per yr = 11.4 cycles x 4,160 plants = 47,424 plants
Equivalent Land Yield – 3-5 acres annually
Features
Interior and Exterior Cameras and Digital Recording
Pro HVAC & Dehumidifier Climate Controls
Full Spectrum LED’s & Controls
Pro Intelligence Water & Nutrient Controls
Bed Mounted Cross Air Fans – variable speed
Power Requirements: 240 volt, 3 phase, 60 hz, 30 amp
Power Usage – 120 to 150 kWh/day (avg.)
Water Usage – 15 liters/day (avg.)
Advantages of Grow Solar Shipping Container Farms
Vertical Farming using shipping containers offers many advantages and benefits to both communities as well as comercial businesses. Biz-Reps offers even more advantages becuase of the way we are structured. Unlike a reseller we are manufacturer representatives for all the companies that make all the parts for our container farms and the final build and assembly, this means we work directly with the manufacturers to provide the best components suited to your needs.
Additional Benefits & Advantages:
Shipping container farms offer several distinct advantages that make them a popular choice for CEA and vertical farming:
Portability and Fast Deployment:
Grow Anywhere:
Their inherent design as shipping containers means they can be transported and deployed virtually anywhere on Earth where there’s access to electricity and water. This makes them ideal for remote locations, urban areas with limited space (e.g., alleyways, parking lots), or even for disaster relief.
Eliminate Real Estate Headaches:
Unlike traditional indoor farms that require securing and renovating warehouses or commercial spaces, a container farm simplifies setup to clearing a suitable outdoor area. This saves significant time and thousands in potential rent or renovation costs.
Modular and Scalable:
Flexible Expansion:
Shipping containers are inherently modular. Multiple units can be configured together to create larger, scalable farm operations, allowing businesses to expand their production as needed.
Standardized Footprint:
The standardized 40′ x 10′ x 10′ dimensions simplify site planning and logistics.
Built-in Structure and Durability:
Cost-Effective Infrastructure:
Repurposing existing shipping containers is often more cost-effective than building new dedicated structures for vertical farms. The container itself provides the foundational structure.
Extreme Condition Resilience:
Shipping containers are engineered to withstand harsh transportation and environmental conditions. When enhanced with insulation and climate control, they become extremely durable and capable of operating in a wide range of temperatures (e.g., -50°F to 115°F). This minimizes the impact of external weather on the delicate internal growing environment.
Optimized for Controlled Environments:
Sealed and Secure: The sealed nature of a container provides a naturally controlled and secure environment, reducing contamination risks and pests, which is crucial for CEA.
Efficient Space Utilization:
The rectangular shape and vertical height are well-suited for stacking vertical hydroponic systems, maximizing the number of plant sites within a small footprint.
Turnkey and Streamlined Implementation:
Faster Deployment: Many container farms are offered as pre-designed, automated units, leading to faster delivery and setup times compared to custom-built indoor farms.
Reduced Complexity: Companies often handle transportation logistics and provide comprehensive support, including training and site preparation assistance, making it easier for new farmers to get started.
FAQS
What types of crops can be grown in a shipping container farm?
Answer:
Shipping container farms, particularly those designed for hydroponics and vertical farming, are ideal for growing a wide variety of leafy greens, herbs, and certain other produce. Examples include various types of lettuce, spinach, kale, basil, mint, and other leafy vegetables. Some specialized container farms can also be adapted for gourmet mushrooms or fodder.
Are shipping container farms sustainable?
Answer:
Shipping container farms are highly sustainable, primarily due to their efficient use of resources. Hydroponic, closed-loop systems consume significantly less water, often 90-95% less water than traditional outdoor farms with similar yields. They also use less energy compared to large soil-based farms, sometimes less than 30%. This approach reduces crop loss to less than 5% and can eliminate the need for harsh chemicals or pesticides.
Do You Offer Training and Support?
Answer:
Yes, Biz-Reps offers complete assistance from start to long after your system is up and running. We offer extensive operational and CEA training through our partner Alta-CEA. We also offer support and optional remote system monitoring for your container farm.
