Key Takeaways
- Source.ag has introduced Approximated PAR Sum, a data-reconstruction feature for high-tech greenhouses.
- The tool provides accurate daily PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) totals without requiring physical PAR sensors.
- The system calculates light levels using existing greenhouse data, including solar radiation, glazing transmission, screen positions, and artificial lighting outputs.
- Approximated PAR Sum includes sensor health diagnostics and integrates with Source.ag’s crop modeling tools.
- The feature is available immediately to all current Source.ag users.
Source.ag Introduces Approximated PAR Sum for High-Tech Greenhouses
Source.ag, a Netherlands-based provider of AI-driven solutions for high-tech greenhouses, has announced the launch of Approximated PAR Sum, a new feature designed to provide growers with accurate PAR metrics without relying on physical PAR sensors.
Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) is a critical parameter for greenhouse crop performance, directly influencing photosynthesis and yield. Traditional high-precision PAR sensors require capital investment, ongoing maintenance, and periodic recalibration. Source.ag’s new feature aims to reduce dependency on such hardware by reconstructing PAR data using existing greenhouse information.
The system delivers daily totals of usable light, measured in mol/m², derived from solar radiation data, greenhouse structural transmission losses, shade screen positions, and artificial lighting outputs, including HPS and LED systems.
“Our goal was to turn existing greenhouse data into growing insight,” said Leonard Baart de la Faille, Lead R&D Engineer at Source.ag. “With Approximated PAR Sum, we’ve minimized the dependency on physical sensors to reach a new level of modeling accuracy. We are essentially enhancing plant data, allowing growers to optimize for photosynthesis rather than just tracking the weather.”
Data-Driven Estimation and Sensor Diagnostics
Approximated PAR Sum reconstructs PAR levels at five-minute intervals by calculating the impact of lighting systems, greenhouse glazing characteristics, and screen positions on incoming light. This allows growers to access continuous light data without installing additional measurement hardware.
For greenhouses that already operate with physical PAR sensors, the feature also acts as a validation tool. By cross-checking measured values against modeled expectations, the system can detect potential sensor drift or calibration errors, providing a diagnostic safeguard.
The reconstructed light data integrates directly into Source.ag’s existing crop models, supporting improved harvest timing and yield forecasting through more precise photosynthesis-based inputs.
Source.ag PAR Sum Immediate Availability and Industry Implications
Source.ag confirmed that Approximated PAR Sum is available immediately to all current users of its platform. The company stated that the feature enables growers to access professional-grade light insights without additional hardware investments or installation lead times.
By leveraging existing greenhouse datasets, the launch reflects a broader trend toward data-driven optimization in controlled-environment agriculture, where modeling capabilities increasingly complement or replace physical sensing infrastructure.
With the introduction of Approximated PAR Sum, Source.ag expands its portfolio of AI-based greenhouse tools aimed at enhancing crop performance through predictive and analytical technologies.
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