Fluence by OSRAM (Fluence), a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial cannabis and food production, announced today its partnership with SunMed Growers, a 250,000-square-foot greenhouse cannabis facility located in Warwick, Maryland. Together, the companies have retrofitted SunMed’s facility from high-pressure sodium (HPS) fixtures to LEDs and increased overall light intensity over the last two years, resulting in up to 30% yield increases for several of the company’s main production strains.
The largest cultivator in Maryland, SunMed is helmed by third-generation greenhouse grower Jake Van Wingerden. Van Wingerden’s family carries a notable legacy in the industry and is a household greenhouse grower name among horticulturists. According to a recent feature in Cannabis Business Times, members of the Van Wingerden family oversee more than 30 million square feet of U.S. greenhouse space. Jake Van Wingerden channeled decades of cultivation knowledge into one of the most advanced cannabis facilities in the U.S., which he expanded from 70,000 square feet to 250,000 square feet in just five years.
“We have learned so much over the last five years and I’m thrilled that we not only continue to grow our footprint, but deliver the highest-quality cannabis products to the Maryland market,” Van Wingerden said. “Through our partnership with Fluence, we’ve seen a notable difference in plant quality over the last two years. Our plants have never been healthier and are growing with incredible vigor under Fluence’s LEDs.”
Before implementing Fluence’s lighting solutions, Van Wingerden used HPS fixtures to supplement the greenhouse’s natural light. However, he knew he could bring in more light at higher efficiencies with more advanced technology. After researching the benefits of LEDs, he realized the significant energy savings, higher light levels—without excess heat—and overall increases in yield were more advantageous than continuing with HPS. After successful trialing of Fluence’s LEDs, Van Wingerden and SunMed made the decision to retrofit the entire facility with Fluence’s VYPR series top light. The data shows from 2019 to 2021, SunMed recorded up to 30% increases in yield across several of its most prominent strains. SunMed also recorded consistent or slightly elevated levels of potency. Now, Van Wingerden is working with Fluence to double the facility’s light intensity without impacting the shading of the current fixture arrangement.
"Cannabispflanzen können eine enorme Menge an Licht vertragen. Durch die Verdoppelung unserer Lichtintensität - und mit einer weiteren Anlagenerweiterung in der Zukunft - werden wir rekordverdächtige Erträge erzielen", so Van Wingerden weiter.
Neben der LED-Technologie von Fluence nutzt die SunMed-Anlage auch ein vollautomatisches niederländisches Rolltischsystem, um die Pflanzen durch jede Phase des Anbaus zu bewegen. In Verbindung mit den hauseigenen Kultursubstraten und den strengen Hygienemaßnahmen spiegelt das makellose Gewächshaus von SunMed das umfassende Fachwissen von Van Wingerden und die Erfahrung seines Teams im Gartenbau wider.
"Es ist eine Ehre, mit Jake und seinem Team bei SunMed zusammenzuarbeiten - sie sind wahre Experten auf ihrem Gebiet und leisten Pionierarbeit bei einigen der innovativsten Anlagendesigns, die derzeit auf dem Markt sind", sagte David Cohen, CEO von Fluence. "Wir freuen uns darauf, das SunMed-Team bei seinen zukünftigen Expansionen zu unterstützen und zu sehen, wie Strategien mit hoher Lichtintensität zu Rekorderträgen und hervorragender Pflanzenqualität führen können."
