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Focus on how LED systems function once installed

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4 weeks ago

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Ask various greenhouse growers what the “best” LED lighting system is and the answers will vary. Some will focus on efficiency figures, some on upfront investment and some on brand awareness or existing facilities. As LED lighting has become common practice in commercial greenhouses, it has become clear that the question itself is changing. The best commercial LED greenhouse lighting system, according to Sollum Technologies’ Abhay Thosar, is one that adjusts spectrum, intensity and Daylight Integral (DLI) in real time to crop requirements, seasonal light availability and energy conditions.

© Sollum Technologies

Energy costs continue to fluctuate, and the availability of natural light varies throughout the year. “At the same time, growers are expected to deliver consistent quality, predictable yields and stable production planning. LEDs are no longer a separate technology, but part of the core infrastructure. What differentiates lighting strategies is not what appears on a spec sheet, but how a system performs under actual greenhouse operating conditions,” he says. “Greenhouse production is inherently variable. Lighting systems must respond to these changes rather than operate as static installations.”

When comparing LED fixtures, the evaluation is often based on efficiency in µmol/J, maximum light output, purchase price, and warranty terms. While these metrics are useful, they do not fully reflect how a lighting system performs once installed. Seasonal and daily variations in sunlight, differences between sites within the same greenhouse, specific responses to crop spectrum and intensity, and changing energy rates all affect real-world performance.

“An apparatus that looks optimal on paper can become restrictive if it cannot be adjusted as conditions evolve,” explains Abhay. “Adaptability is part of performance.”

Commercial LED greenhouse systems are increasingly defined by their ability to adjust over time. The flexibility of the spectrum allows growers to vary the quality of light according to crop type, growth stage and production goals. Increasing blue light during early stages of growth or introducing red light during periods of low light are adjustments that demonstrate how spectral control can be used to influence plant responses.

“Flexible spectrum gives growers the ability to align lighting with plant behavior, rather than treating the light response as a fixed input,” says Abhay.

Light intensity control is another factor. Instead of maintaining constant output over long periods of time, adjustable intensity allows growers to respond to changes in natural light and avoid using unnecessary energy. This approach is closely related to DLI-based control, where lighting decisions are driven by the amount of light a crop receives each day. In advanced systems, DLI targets are achieved through automated modulation of light output as sunlight conditions change throughout the day.

© Sollum Technologies “The goal is to accurately manage consistent DLI without adding complexity to day-to-day operations,” said Abhay.

Greenhouse environments are rarely uniform, making field-level control important. Differences in structure, orientation or crop design can result in different light requirements within the same facility. Lighting systems that allow zone-based adjustments support more consistent crop development throughout the greenhouse.

Integration with existing greenhouse systems is another matter. Lighting interacts with climate control, energy management and crop planning, and systems that operate in this broad framework are easier to manage over time. Long-term adaptability also plays a role, as lighting strategies change frequently to respond to new cultivars, market demands or energy requirements. Systems that support these changes without having to completely replace them offer greater operational flexibility.

Many greenhouse LED installations still rely on static schedules, where prescription lights are set after installation and manually adjusted, if necessary. Dynamic lighting strategies take a different approach by continuously adjusting spectrum, intensity and timing to crop needs, available daylight, seasonal patterns and operational constraints. These adjustments can be made in real time and at the zone level, managing the underlying complexity of the system.

“The system manages variability so growers can focus on crop results,” says Abhay.

In practical terms, the most suitable commercial LED greenhouse systems support consistent crop performance across seasons, improved uniformity and predictable production results. They allow growers to adjust lighting strategies without replacing hardware and manage energy use in relation to production goals. In this context, “best” is less about the most powerful apparatus and more about a system’s ability to adapt as conditions change.

“The important question for growers is no longer which LED system is the best in absolute terms, but which system provides the control and flexibility needed to respond to changing conditions, plant requirements at each growth stage, and long-term operational goals. Greenhouses are dynamic environments, and lighting systems are increasingly expected to function in the same way.”

For more information:
Sollum Technologies
sollumtechnologies.com

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Curaleaf secures $500M financing, extends debt maturity to 2029

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11 hours ago

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February 20, 2026

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Curaleaf Holdings has closed a $500 million private debt financing, refinancing existing obligations and extending the maturity of the debt by more than two years.

The company issued senior secured notes with an interest rate of 11.5%, due in February 2029. At the same time, Curaleaf repaid $475 million in prepayments due in December 2026. According to the company, the transaction is non-dilutive and was completed at par.

The refinancing effectively pushes Curaleaf’s near-term debt obligations further down the road, giving the company additional runway as it continues to operate in multiple international cannabis markets. The net proceeds from the offering will be used to support global growth initiatives, as well as to cover transaction-related costs.

© Curaleaf

“This financing strengthens our balance sheet and gives us greater flexibility to execute our long-term strategy,” said Boris Jordan, President and CEO of Curaleaf. He described the deal as the largest bond offering completed in the cannabis sector to date, and pointed to renewed interest from institutional investors as a sign of increased confidence in the industry.

The notes pay interest annually and are secured against the company’s assets. The financing structure also allows for debt issuance under certain leverage conditions, along with $100 million in senior bank financing.

The private placement was conducted under existing securities law exemptions in Canada and the United States and was led by Seaport Global Securities, with ATB Cormark Capital Markets acting as placement agent.

For more information:
Curaleaf
(email protected)
curaleaf.com



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GOP Congressman And Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Urge McConnell To Support Delaying Hemp THC Ban

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11 hours ago

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February 20, 2026

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A GOP congressman and Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner are pleading with a key Republican senator who initially helped lead the push to legalize hemp before approving the recriminalization of THC products to back a proposed two-year delay. industry players to implement a policy that would revolutionize the market.

As prohibitionists mount a lobbying campaign for the recriminalization of most hemp-derived cannabinoid products, Rep. James Comer (R-KY) and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell are urging Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to join them in the fight to give hemp companies more time to navigate the critical policy change that takes effect in November.

“Kentucky has long been a national leader in hemp research, production and innovation — leadership made possible in large part by your historic efforts to legalize industrial hemp at the federal level,” Comer — who also previously served as Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner — and Shell said in a letter to McConnell on Thursday. “Because of that leadership, Kentucky farmers invested responsibly in this emerging crop, built infrastructure, created jobs and contributed to rural economic development across the Commonwealth.”

But that progress is being jeopardized by appropriations legislation signed into law by President Donald Trump last year, with provisions that would redefine what constitutes legal hemp by imposing tough restrictions on THC content that would eliminate the edible cannabinoid product.

“The provision (continuing resolution) received in November has introduced a great deal of uncertainty into the market at a critical time,” the congressman and commissioner wrote. “Hemp is an annual crop, and farmers are now making decisions about seed, labor contracts, financing and the next growing season. Without additional time and clarity, many Kentucky growers risk making planting decisions that could jeopardize the long-term viability of their farms.”

Both urged McConnell to throw his support behind an independent bill sponsored by Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN) and 24 bipartisan co-sponsors. give the hemp industry two more years before the federal ban on THC products goes into effectin the hope that it will better position stakeholders to negotiate a broader compromise with parliamentarians.

Baird’s bill “will not resolve the broader policy questions surrounding hemp, but it would give farmers, processors and regulators the certainty needed to plan responsibly while Congress considers a sustainable and well-informed way forward,” Comer and Shell wrote. “This additional time is essential to avoid unintended consequences for family farms and rural communities that have acted in good faith under existing federal and state law.”

“We respectfully ask that you allow time for this extension to move forward and help ensure that Kentucky farmers are not put at a disadvantage through abrupt policy changes,” they said. “Doing so would reaffirm Kentucky’s leadership in agriculture and honor its commitment to growers who have answered the call to grow this crop.”

It is not yet clear whether McConnell will follow through on the officials’ request. Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill in his first term while championing the legalization of hemp, The former Senate Majority Leader has advocated for clearing the hemp THC market that he has described as an unintended consequence of wider agricultural legislation.

However, the hemp industry is fueled by proactive advocacy by Kentucky officials.

“This letter adds two important and influential voices to the growing chorus of Kentucky agriculture leaders calling on Senator McConnell to reconsider his efforts to destroy hemp as a viable crop for Kentucky farmers,” said Jim Higdon, co-founder and communications director of the Kentucky-based Cornbread Mompment. “By establishing a two-year extension, stakeholders can work with Congress to find meaningful solutions to Senator McConnell’s legitimate concerns without destroying the entire industry.”

Meanwhile, anti-cannabis interests are calling on their supporters to keep up the pressure on Congress to maintain the THC ban without delay.

“Congress took an important step to protect youth when it enacted new restrictions on intoxicating cannabis products last year, but it’s critical to implement these new rules without delay,” the Partnership to End Addiction (formerly the Association for a Drug-Free America) said in a recent action alert.

“Some members of the industry and Congress are pushing to delay the implementation of this law, claiming that more time is needed to develop regulations,” the group said, and that “an extension of the implementation deadline could be included as Congress works to reauthorize the Farm Bill.”

To that end, the House Agriculture Committee will mark up the final Farm Bill in a hearing on Monday.

“But the one-year implementation period is reasonable, giving manufacturers and retailers time to adapt and regulators to prepare for enforcement,” the Partnership said. he said. “A delay would further entrench the market and allow the continued availability of dangerous products, leading to further exposure of young people and negative health consequences.”

“Send a letter asking your members of Congress to oppose efforts to delay the implementation of the new definition of hemp and to keep the law’s effective date to minimize the harm these intoxicating products can cause, especially to young people,” he said, offering a form to send a pre-written letter to congressional representatives.

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Meanwhile, last month, major alcohol retailers joined forces to push Congress to delay the enactment of the law signed by Trump which will re-criminalize THC drinks and other products derived from hemp.

The coalition says it wants to apply the same regulatory structure that governs alcoholic beverages, distributors and retailers to hemp beverages to “ensure safe and transparent access.”

Other alcohol industry groups such as The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America has also supported the regulation of hemp products instead of banning

read it the letter Comer and Shell discuss delaying the federal hemp THC ban below:

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Screens show the greatest potential to steer greenhouse industry towards climate neutrality

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1 day ago

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February 19, 2026

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The closing ceremony of the Interreg Flanders–Netherlands Energlik project took place in Hoogstraten, Belgium, where researchers and industry stakeholders gathered to present and discuss the project’s results. The study day was organized by the Energlik consortium under the coordination of Proefcentrum Hoogstraten.

As part of the Energlik project, eleven partners from Flanders and the Netherlands joined forces to reduce greenhouse CO₂ emissions by 2030 and take concrete steps to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

The project focused on the development of four innovative technologies aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions in greenhouse production. In addition to the practical tests, additional studies were carried out to assess the economic viability and environmental impact of the innovations.

Interreg’s Bram De Kort highlighted the importance of the initiative at the closing ceremony: “Interreg stimulates cross-border cooperation and supports strong projects that create added value for people, the economy and the planet. Energli is a great example of this.”

© Hoogstraten Test Center

Four innovations for less CO₂ emissions
One of the technologies developed as part of the project is a CO₂ capture system that collects, purifies and stores CO₂ from the heating plant, then reuses it in the crop. This allows producers to decouple heat demand from CO₂ supply. The system is based on Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA). Thomas More’s Jan Creylman explained: “PSA is a low-tech method of concentrating CO₂ from flue gases. It can be easily combined with a CHP plant and is cost-effective, safe and scalable.”

© Hoogstraten Test Center

A second innovation focused on the development of new screen materials to improve greenhouse insulation and reduce heat loss, thus reducing CO₂ emissions. Emphasis was placed on the properties of screens.

“It has been scientifically confirmed that the growers were right in assuming that dehumidification through the screen is very effective,” said Filip Bronchart of the University of Ghent.

The third innovation focused on energy-efficient active dehumidification systems. These systems remove moisture from the greenhouse without opening the vents, preventing energy losses.

“Within Energlik, we explored the possibilities of energy-efficient dehumidification of greenhouse air, based on proven techniques from other sectors,” added Bronchart.

© Hoogstraten Test Center

Finally, the members of the project have developed sensors capable of detecting fungal spores. Energy-efficient cultivation often needs to be airtight for longer periods of time, which can increase the risk of fungal diseases.

“We have previously successfully used biosensors to detect bacteria and molecules, but fungal spores were more challenging. With surface printing and electropolymerization, we have identified two ways to detect fungal spores,” explains Bart van Grinsven.

These sensors may enable more accurate monitoring of fungal pressure in the future, allowing growers to intervene earlier.

© Hoogstraten Test Center

Innovations tested in practice
Many innovations were tested in practice. New screen materials were developed, measured and selected based on insulation performance. The best performing screens were then used in crop trials with tomato, sweet pepper and cucumber, combining three screens for each crop.

© Hoogstraten Test Center

Different types of dehumidification systems were also designed, built and installed. These included heat recovery systems and systems equipped with heat pumps. Combined with climate and screen control strategies, these measures resulted in significant energy savings across all crops, with no loss of production.

© Hoogstraten Test Center

In addition, a trial in a commercial tomato greenhouse demonstrated that more intensive use of multiple screens, day and night, significantly reduces energy consumption.

Tomato producer Jelle De Ryck from Tomerel he reflected on his experience: “In 2025, we did not have to turn on our gas boiler, while in 2024 – despite the warmer spring – this was still necessary. This was possible with the double energy screen and the more intensive use of the screen.

© EnergyJelle De Ryck from Tomerel shared her experiences as a demo member of the Energlik project on October 2, 2025 during a visit to the Vegetable Research Station in Sint-Katelijne-Waver.

Screens show the greatest potential
Economic and environmental assessments indicate that energy screens currently offer the greatest potential to move the greenhouse industry towards climate neutrality. They require a relatively limited investment and provide significant heat savings, especially in crops without light. Combined with energy-efficient dehumidification systems, CO₂ emissions can be further reduced.

“Dehumidification systems reduce the environmental impact, but high efficiency is essential,” explained ILVO’s Luis Corbala Robles. Their economic viability depends largely on investment costs.

For other innovations, the added economic and environmental value is less clear at this stage, partly due to the high investment costs and the need for further research. These factors will influence which technologies are adopted in commercial practice in the future.

The project also emphasized that energy-efficient cultivation strategies (such as accepting higher relative humidity levels and increasing screen hours) can lead to significant savings without requiring additional investment from growers.

Silke Hemming from Wageningen University & Research emphasizes this point: “Accepting a higher relative humidity, using a heat pump for dehumidification and installing more and better energy screens make the most important contribution to saving energy in fruit and vegetable crops.”

Source: Hoogstraten Test Center / energy

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