Bioclimatic greenhouses are translucent structures intended for plant production, utilized in open fields and soilless settings. Their core principle is the capture, storage, and restitution of solar heat.
During the daytime, the South-facing, glazed façade, inclined between 60° and 70°, allows solar radiation to penetrate and stores the heat in high thermal inertia materials (stones, bricks, cinder blocks, or drums/barrels of water). These materials subsequently release the heat during the night or during cloudy periods, thereby ensuring natural temperature regulation.

The efficacy of a bioclimatic greenhouse is dependent upon three parameters: orientation, dimensions, and insulation.

A primary façade oriented directly South maximizes the capture of solar radiation [i], while the other walls are preferably opaque and insulated to minimize thermal loss [i]. The overall dimensioning, which can range from 5m² to over 1000m², must aim for a balance between the collection surface area and the air volume requiring heating, in order to guarantee a homogeneous temperature and thermal inertia. The South façade should constitute approximately 20% of the ground surface area, and the optimal length/width ratio ranges between 2/1 and 3/1.

This system is particularly suited for heat-demanding crops, such as Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae. Thanks to this regulation, crops achieve early maturity (plant precocity) and are protected from frost, particularly in regions experiencing significant thermal variations between day and night. It also facilitates the diversification and self-sufficiency of production, and allows for cultivation at altitude.
However, there is a risk of summer overheating, which can be mitigated through the use of openings.
In France, approximately thirty bioclimatic greenhouses were inventoried in 2025. These greenhouses can be installed across the entire territory and adapt to various climatic conditions; however, their performance may vary from one zone to another.

Operating within an agroecological framework, these greenhouses offer alternatives to traditional heated greenhouses by utilizing soft solar energy in order to limit the reliance on external energy sources, thereby constituting an ecological and sustainable solution.