Innovator Spotlight

Solar Cannabis Company

Somerset, Massachusetts

Challenges

  • Lack of Established Industry-wide Sustainability Practices
  • Limited Efficiency in Controlled Environment
  • Limited Light Intensity
Brad Nattrass, expert in cannabis lighting technology, with LED grow lights backdrop.
“Urban-gro is proud to support the Solar Cannabis Company in their vision and commitment to resource efficiency. Solar’s success in managing energy costs and consumption is a testament to the advantage that expert engineering design and equipment integration can have on facility operations. By focusing on the efficient interaction between plants, people and processes, Solar is effectively able to operate a consistently high-performing cultivation facility. We are pleased to work with our trusted industry partner, Fluence. The long-standing relationship between our companies has resulted in the design and start-up of some of the most advanced cultivation facilities across North America.”

- Brad Nattrass

CEO, Urban-Gro
Smiling man in blue shirt, black blazer; expert in cannabis LED grow lights.
“The industry and our customers have spoken: Broad-spectrum LEDs are the preferred solution to achieve critical cost efficiencies and cultivation goals. Cultivators who are implementing LED lighting solutions are optimizing energy costs, growing the most consistent plants and achieving unbeatable crop yields. Industry leaders like the Solar Cannabis Company are setting a new gold standard for sustainable cultivation practices, ensuring the cannabis industry thrives into the future.”

- David Cohen

CEO of Fluence
How an energy-independent cannabis cultivator in Massachusetts became the new benchmark for sustainability.

Solar Cannabis Company (formerly Solar Therapeutics) is the only energy-independent cannabis cultivation and dispensary facility in the U.S. In order to achieve the smallest energy footprint possible, Solar Cannabis Company understands there is always one more action it can take to optimize its operations. Their journey led them to Fluence. By implementing Fluence’s LED solutions, Solar Cannabis Company earned $1 million in local utility rebates. Solar Cannabis Company’s collaboration with urban-gro further improved operations through sustainable irrigation and optimized fertigation and watering systems. The company’s dedication to advanced controlled environment innovations has positioned Solar Cannabis Company at the epicenter of sustainability in cannabis cultivation.

Project Overview

Overview
Solar Cannabis Company in Somerset, Massachusetts
Crop
Cannabis
Fluence Fixture

SPYDR
• Spectra: BROAD R4
• Veg: 550-580 PPFD
• Flower: 1020-1080 PPFD

Facility
Solar-powered indoor
Regional DLI
Results

• $1 million+ in total utility rebates from LED implementation
• Optimized and downsized HVAC equipment
• Investments in long-term sustainability goals

Challenges
Finding the right technology to achieve sustainability goals

Solar Cannabis Company’s indoor farms spans 67,000 square feet and is the only cultivation and dispensary facility in the U.S. that uses green infrastructure and microgrid assets. CEO and founder Edward Dow knew Solar Cannabis Company could achieve even greater efficiencies and long-term sustainability with the right supplemental lighting partner. Dow chose Fluence to design the optimal lighting strategy to maximize his facility’s sustainability efforts.

Results

Capitalizing on rebate incentives for trickle-down savings and investments

Solar Cannabis Company’s uniquely designed facility lowers its energy profile by 40 percent, and its microgrid assets reduce remaining emissions by nearly 60 percent. The company’s microgrid generates approximately five megawatts of electricity—enough to power a small town—and its production architecture enables the facility to supply cannabis flower and cannabis-infused products throughout the state of Massachusetts. Dow has proven his continued commitment to efficiency by partnering with Fluence: Solar Cannabis Company is set to receive more than $1 million in total rebates from its local utility companies following their successful installation of LED technology. The rebates will be leveraged to downsize HVAC equipment and re-invest the resulting savings in technologies to further achieve long-term sustainability goals.

A white dollar sign and upward arrow on orange, symbolizing LED grow lights profit.
$1 million+ in total utility rebates from LED implementation
White icon of air conditioner on orange, symbolizing cannabis grow light cooling.
Optimized and downsized HVAC equipment
White hand outline holding cannabis leaf with plus sign; cannabis lighting icon.
Investments in long-term sustainability goals

Contact Us

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