Is Indoor Farming Entering A New Era? Growing Without LEDs

Square Roots, a CEA startup announces a new program to prove that light can removed from a commercial vertical farming system and is supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. All the benefits of indoor farming remain but the system can now operate with radically reduced energy needs. This translates directly to significantly lower production costs and associated CO2e.

“Indoor farms’ ability to grow fresh, nutritious food, all year round, in any location, irrespective of outdoor climate, has obvious appeal. But to date, the solution has been energy-intensive. By removing light from an indoor farming system, reducing both costs and CO2e — this program could unlock an enormous benefit for the future of food security around the world,” said Tobias Peggs, Square Roots’ CEO.

Increasing sustainability
This discovery could make indoor farming considerably more viable and sustainable for low and middle-income countries. The results could change the underlying economics for indoor farming globally, where energy needs today, primarily driven by the requirement for LED grow lights, can typically contribute 20%-40% of total costs.

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Square Roots
www.squarerootsgrow.com

Publication date: Wed 31 Jan 2024
Author: Rebekka Boekhout
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