Rooftop container gardens
For sustainability and energy conservation, RVs and mobile homes with flat roofs can create container gardens using off the shelf storage bins with clear tops to grow food and shade the roof from sunlight, thus reducing the air conditioning energy usage cooling the RV without air conditioning.
Could also be used on low sloped porch roofs or just on a deck or in the yard.
The rail system can be installed with four bolts per section and from the back of the RV bins can be slid into the roller rails and captured to prevent movement with wind. Each bin will connect to the next with simple ropes or carabiners or any other easily removable linking device. Containers will be double stacked so the soil is in the top and irrigation water can drain out through a drain hole in each corner into the lower stacked bin. All the lower bins will collect the excess water preventing mold in the soil.
Alternatively non stacked bins will drain excess water directly into a sloped U channel gutter running the length of the rails to the rear ladder area where a flexible hose will drain the dirty runoff water to the ground keeping the roof clean. Runoff water can be filtered and reused for watering with a small solar powered water pump delivering a mist into the bins from the top of the rail system through openings in the clear bin lids that protect the plants from insects and animals and offering a greenhouse effect. Small holes in the lids will alllow the heat to escape to not burn the plants, and simple plugs or bolts can close the holes for ventilation adjustability. Multiple rail systems can be installed on the roof on either side of existing air conditioners.
Optional solar panels mounted to the rails provide the power for the water pump and ventilation fans in existing roof vents. Bins can be removed from rails for traveling or a sturdy cover can protect them from the headwinds. The idea is scalable, inexpensive, adaptable, lowering cooling costs and providing food for the occupants.
Marketability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️★️☆️ Container gardening is a popular trend, and addressing the needs of RVs/mobile homes is a unique selling point. However, more promotion is needed to raise awareness and increase marketability.
Novelty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆️ The stacked bin design with a sliding rail system is a clever and space-saving solution. There are few comparable products for this specific application, making it novel and innovative.
Viability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The design appears structurally sound and utilizes off-the-shelf components, making production feasible. Maintenance requirements such as watering and venting are straightforward, adding to the viability of the idea. There is good potential for commercial success.
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️★️ This idea is very smart and creatively addresses real needs. With further refinement and marketing efforts, it has strong potential to gain traction in the market. Sustainable gardens and energy cost savings for RVs/mobile homes are becoming more desirable, which adds to the overall promise of this idea.
