Shangri-La Research and Development Co. was started in 1990 as a branch of Carefree Landscape to study and develop solar thermal greenhouses as well as their use. The 20 year evolution of my greenhouse led to the addition of woodstoves to supplement the solar heat. Later research led to the possibilities of other biomass energy and renewable sources.
Other areas of research:
- Experiments recycling various containers as thermal storage
- Wood ash and charcoal as renewable fertilizer and soil amendment
- Experiments utilizing various engineering and construction techniques to optimize thermal retention and conduction
- Adaptation of plants to the fluxuating temperatures of the solar thermal greenhouse
- Use of woodsmoke and wood creasote as pesticides
- Intigration of all of the above systems and more into a comprehensive intigrated system of growing