Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Maybe their web site should be called www.billiondollarskyscrapersforthousand ... rvests.com ?

If this place is dreary then you have really answered your own question and needs.

you will need HID lights of sorts in the winter and maybe spring and fall.

This is a huge energy investment.

Some growers in Holland use insulation to cover the greenhouse during winter to keep in heat. No natural light. Since they need HID anyway they benefit from the heat generated from them.

Then in the summer you will need a fully retractable roof to eliminate any need for energy to pull out the heat.

Check out the various types of retractable roof greenhouses

Covering.... there are double wall polycarbonate and acrylic coverings as well as triple wall. They have a pretty good heat retention value, triple, never seen anyone actually use it. But you can get the same from double poly (polyethylene films).

Heat retention is best if you use an energy blanket inside the greenhouse.

I still think indoors in the answer in cool climates.

You are in an area with a huge greenhouse industry, Michigan is one of the largest producers of greenhouse crops in the US so you ought to be able to find lots of places to visit. Be sure to visit successful businesses and ones that are fairly new, as older ones dont have the debt load from property costs that you will have.

cheers

peter