Key Takeaways
- Sollum Technologies and Leaficient are developing a closed-loop, plant-adaptive dynamic lighting system for controlled environment agriculture.
- The system adjusts LED lighting in real-time based on plant productivity and growth rates, rather than relying solely on Daily Light Integral (DLI) metrics.
- The technology aims to optimize photosynthetic efficiency, potentially reducing energy use and improving crop growth conditions.
- Greenhouse and vertical farm operators may benefit from more precise lighting adjustments, offering potential improvements in yield management and resource efficiency.
- The system is intended to provide an alternative to static lighting schedules, offering more flexibility in controlled agriculture settings.
New Approach to Adaptive LED Lighting By Sollum & Leaficient
Sollum Technologies (Profile) and Leaficient have announced a collaborative effort to develop a dynamic LED lighting system that adjusts in real-time based on plant productivity and growth rates. Unlike conventional lighting strategies that rely primarily on Daily Light Integral (DLI) metrics, this closed-loop system seeks to tailor lighting conditions to real-time plant needs.
“Today’s lighting strategies do not account for the actual efficiency of light absorption by plants,” said François R-Moisan, CTO and co-founder of Sollum Technologies. “By integrating Leaficient’s real-time plant measurement technology with our dynamic LED lighting solution, we aim to improve efficiency in light usage.”
The system combines Leaficient’s plant monitoring technology with Sollum’s dynamic LED lighting to adjust lighting levels based on photosynthetic activity.
How the Sollum-Leaficient Adaptive Lighting System Functions
The Sollum-Leaficient system integrates:
- Real-time photosynthetic efficiency monitoring, using Leaficient’s plant measurement technology.
- Adjustable LED lighting that responds dynamically to plant growth and environmental conditions.
- Closed-loop optimization, which adjusts lighting intensity based on measured plant needs.
“The focus is not just on delivering more light, but on delivering the right light at the right time,” said Brian Stancil, co-founder and CEO of Leaficient.
This adaptive approach is designed to allow energy use adjustments, while maintaining consistent lighting conditions suited to different crop requirements.
Potential Applications for Greenhouse and Vertical Farming
For greenhouse and vertical farm operators, this technology offers an alternative to static lighting schedules, which typically follow preset patterns rather than adjusting based on real-time plant responses. Key considerations include:
- Energy use management, with the potential for more targeted light application.
- Lighting efficiency, based on plant-specific needs rather than uniform light distribution.
- Flexible crop development control, with adjustments for different growth stages.
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