Key Takeaways:
- Signify and the University of British Columbia (UBC) have entered their fifth consecutive year of collaboration to develop a production protocol for growing peppers year-round under Philips brand LED lighting.
- The trial, which began in 2021, is now testing the new Philips GreenPower LED toplighting force (TLF) 2.1 with dynamic, color-tunable light-steering capabilities.
- Canada produced 175 million kilograms of greenhouse peppers in 2024, yet approximately a quarter of annual pepper consumption is still imported due to limited winter production.
- Year five of the trial expands evaluation to include variety selection, pruning techniques, pest and disease control, temperature management, and energy conservation.
- The trial is supported by multiple industry sponsors including Rijk Zwaan, Svensson, BioBee, Syngenta, Bevo Farms, Priva, Climatrol Solutions, and Prins Greenhouses, with full findings expected in June 2026.
Signify and UBC Extend Pepper Lighting Trial Into Fifth Year
Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, has announced its fifth year of cooperation with the University of British Columbia (UBC) to develop a production protocol for growing peppers year-round using Philips brand LED lighting. The ongoing multi-year trial aims to help Canadian growers expand pepper production into the winter months, a period currently dominated by imported supply.
A Trial Rooted in Canadian Growing Conditions
The collaboration between Signify and UBC began in 2021, following initial conversations in 2020 between UBC Greenhouse Research Manager Melina Biron and the Philips horticulture team. Researchers at UBC and plant specialists at Signify identified a need for a trial specifically designed around Canadian climate and growing conditions.
“The trial conversation between UBC and Signify was initiated in 2020 after Melina visited with the Philips horticulture team,” said Esther de Beer, Global Manager, Plant Specialists at Signify. “We were excited to initiate the trial when it started in 2021 and collaborate with the UBC team to develop a production protocol for year-round pepper production under LED lighting.”
