Forecast-driven lighting and energy management as next phase of greenhouse LED control
Source: VFD.com
Sollum's new energy management solution to be launched at Cultivate this year Forecast-driven lighting and energy management as next phase of greenhouse LED control Greenhouse lighting software continues to evolve from basic fixture control into intelligent lighting management platforms that combine crop, weather, and energy data to optimize lighting decisions in real time. We take that complexity and provide results." She explained that the increasing availability of greenhouse data allows growers to make more informed decisions.
Beyond fixture control, software is increasingly being used to monitor and manage the greenhouse as an integrated production environment. "Growers can configure a minimum PPFD floor, and the fixtures will dim while always respecting that minimum level." "They can also preview the following day's power consumption, sunlight and greenhouse light integral, allowing them to adjust their strategy the day before." Abhay said the approach introduces another important metric alongside traditional light use efficiency.
"Growers can make conscious, informed decisions by balancing light use efficiency with energy use efficiency." © Sollum Technologies Greenhouse energy cost and power Dynamic lighting expands crop management options He also highlighted the opportunities created by four-channel dynamic LED fixtures, which allow growers to adjust light spectra according to specific crop objectives. Using prediction capabilities together with different light spectra can drive additional energy savings while maintaining agronomic quality." For growers still hesitating to try new lighting technologies, Abhay recommends a gradual approach.
Why this matters: For operators, this is a water-management story. The useful signal is that direct substrate measurements can help cut drain loss materially without giving up yield or fruit quality, which is exactly the kind of controllable efficiency gain a facility can build on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does substrate sensing matter in free-drain strawberry systems?
Because drain percentage tells a grower what already happened, while substrate moisture and EC data show root-zone conditions directly. That makes it easier to cut water loss without guessing.
What is the operator takeaway from this trial?
If the thresholds are understood well enough, growers can reduce drain water materially while protecting yield and fruit quality, which makes sensing an operational tool instead of a reporting tool.
