Energy consumption is one of the big challenges for the cannabis industry, with indoor cultivation requiring large amounts of power to provide adequate lighting. Traditional lighting creates significant heat, so these grows require extensive cooling as well. LED lighting is one of the technologies addressing the high power usage, and companies like BIOS, based in Florida, are experiencing success, offering what they claim is just a one-year payback on the investment. Neil Yorio, VP of Lighting Research, Agriculture, ran a successful trial with Denver Relief and continues to believe that the company can win over fans by demonstrating improved yields and lower costs.
Surna (OTC: SRNA) attacks the HVAC challenge with specialized cooling systems designed for the cannabis industry, and the company has also begun to sell a light reflector with a built-in cooling system. CEO Stephen Keen points out that lack of access to capital has been hindering adoption of cost-saving technologies due to the up-front investment required.
Read Stephanie Paige Ogburn’s “Growing Colorado Cannabis Is Energy Hungry Work, But Innovation Could Change That” or listen to her four-minute story: http://www.kunc.org/post/growing-colorado-cannabis-energy-hungry-work-innovation-could-change#stream/0
