Greenhouse growers are always searching for ways to optimize plant growth while minimizing energy consumption, but not all lighting systems are equipped to handle the challenges that come with real-time power adjustments. "Dynamic lighting is transforming greenhouse operations, offering precision, efficiency, and adaptability," says François R.-Moisan, Co-founder and CTO with Sollum Technologies. "However, many lighting solutions struggle with power management, leading to flickering lights, overloaded circuits, frequent breaker trips, and costly maintenance. The key to successful dynamic lighting lies in an intelligent system that adapts seamlessly while keeping plant growth the top priority." Sollum addresses these issues with its AI-driven dynamic LED system.
The hidden challenges of dynamic lighting
One of the biggest issues with conventional LED fixtures is the inrush current spike. "Turning on traditional LED fixtures creates a sudden and massive inrush current, sometimes 70 to 100 times the normal operating current," he explains. "If the system isn't designed to handle these surges, growers face unexpected shutdowns, overloaded transformers, and inconsistent lighting that negatively impacts crop performance."
Beyond initial power surges, unstable electrical currents can also lead to wasted energy. "Dynamic lighting requires constant adjustments, and if LED drivers aren't optimized for this, they waste energy compensating for fluctuations. Excess heat, voltage instability, and increased maintenance costs are all consequences of a poorly managed system."
AI-driven intelligence as a solution
Sollum published a whitepaper, highlighting the importance of AI-driven intelligence in smart fixtures. "Dynamic lighting is more than just adjusting intensity—it's a real-time power management challenge that requires precision, adaptability, and deep integration with electrical infrastructure," François states. "Our AI-driven system continuously analyzes power fluctuations and environmental conditions to ensure seamless lighting adjustments."
"Instead of following rigid schedules, our lighting system optimizes light intensity and spectrum dynamically to support plant growth while self-regulating power draw to prevent overloading circuits," he elaborates. "This means growers can rely on consistent, high-quality lighting without the risks of electrical instability."
Sollum's approach includes integration with existing electrical infrastructure. "Integrating dynamic lighting into a greenhouse requires careful planning and execution," François notes. "It's not just about installing new fixtures—it's about ensuring that lighting works hand-in-hand with the existing electrical system. That's why our solutions are designed to minimize disruptions while maximizing efficiency."
This integration ensures growers get the most out of their lighting investment. "With our technology, lighting adjustments are made with plant vitality in mind," he adds.
Why some lighting solutions fall short
While many companies claim to offer dynamic lighting, not all solutions are built to handle the complexities of real-time power adjustments. "Without intelligence at the fixture level, dynamic lighting remains reactive rather than proactive," François warns. "This leads to inefficiencies, system failures, and higher operational costs."
Sollum's solution is designed to balance energy consumption efficiently, ensuring stable operation within existing electrical constraints. "We focus on dynamically adjusting light distribution based on plant needs, reducing unnecessary electrical strain, and extending infrastructure lifespan," he says. "It's about delivering a complete, reliable solution that growers can trust."
In their latest white paper, Sollum explores how intelligent lighting solutions not only enhance plant growth but also ensure energy efficiency and electrical stability. "We're excited to share our latest research on what makes our dynamic LED lighting so effective in boosting crop growth while ensuring energy efficiency," François concludes. "From power stability to AI-powered lighting and smart integration, we cover all the key factors that set our technology apart."
Read the full white paper here.
For more information:
Sollum Technologies
sollumtechnologies.com