"Zero investment from the grower, but direct savings on energy costs"
Source: VFD.com
Speaking at CEAIF 2026, Nicolas Dietrich, Chief of Staff at Voltiris, argued that the greenhouse roof itself is part of the answer. By converting near-infrared light into electricity before it reaches the canopy, the modules reduce average leaf temperature by 3°C on sunny days with no effect on cloudy days, meaning that the crops retain the warmth they need in cooler conditions.
And I think that was probably the biggest learning in the last two years." Yield data from Delphy trials recorded a 5% uplift in strawberry yield and 9% more class-1 peppers. At Meier Gemüse in Rütihof, Switzerland, where Voltiris completed its first industrial-scale installation in 2025, cherry tomato production finished 1.5% higher than the control compartment across one hectare.
Growers active with Voltiris include Lingezegen Energy, a Dutch cooperative managing energy operations across more than 80 hectares of flowers and vegetables, Koppert Cress, Tomeco, described as Belgium's leading greenhouse cooperative, and Prince de Bretagne, France's largest tomato cooperative. "We would cover 62% of the total electricity demand of the greenhouse, which has a significant impact on operations," Dietrich said.
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.
