Fluence
Fluence, a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial cannabis production, today released its latest Innovator Spotlight showcasing Bostica, an award-winning cultivator in Lynn, Massachusetts.
Co-founded by Jarrod Falite, Bostica’s 60,000-square-foot facility concurrently cultivates 18 proprietary strains used in products sold to more than 120 stores throughout Massachusetts. Falite comes from a long line of successful business owners. His father and uncle’s HVAC business has operated for more than 40 years, giving Falite the foundational knowledge to design a cultivation facility rooted in efficiency while embracing modern automation practices.
“We’re trying to create as close to a natural environment indoors as possible while ensuring absolute consistency in our flower,” Falite said. “With Fluence, we’re emulating the sun and taking total control over our lighting strategy. Everything around Fluence’s LED fixtures becomes more efficient, including the HVAC system—and we’re doubling the canopy without increasing the facility’s overall footprint. It’s a no-brainer to go LED.”
The company produces more than 100 grams of high-quality flower per square foot across its 35,000 square feet of canopy. Bostica leverages Fluence’s SPYDR fixtures in its double-tier flower and triple-tier vegetation rooms to optimize space and environmental parameters.
“Fluence’s SPYDR fixtures are incredible and specced perfectly for the vegetative stage,” said Matthew Parker, director of cultivation at Bostica. “Our electrical load is about a third of what it would be with HPS lights. The amount of electricity we consume on site is minimal—we’re saving power in multiple ways because of these lights.”
The company’s focus on plant performance yields vivid bud colors and aromas as well as a variety of terpenes and cannabinoids for Bostica’s myriad cannabis offerings.
“Bostica is one of a kind,” said Steve Graves, senior vice president of strategy and business development at Fluence. “The team’s calculated cultivation approach is leveraging some of the industry’s most advanced technologies. They mean it when they say their products are ‘beyond better.’ We’re proud to partner with Bostica and support them in delivering high-quality cannabis to the Massachusetts market.”
Fluence, a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial cannabis production, hosted its sixth PHOTOx Summit on Sept. 23 and 24, 2024, in Austin, Texas.
PHOTOx is a gathering of the brightest global minds in horticulture, providing an unparalleled opportunity for industry pioneers to learn the latest in cannabis cultivation research and science. Curated by Fluence’s Crop Science team, the company convenes growers and global researchers to explore new breakthroughs in cannabis research and essential cultivation practices.
In his opening remarks, Fluence principal scientist David Hawley, Ph.D., noted the rapid shift in cannabis’s market positioning from an underground crop into a growing and viable global industry.
“Commercial adoption and market demand have enabled advancements in cannabis cultivation technologies that, in other crops, would have taken decades of research,” Hawley said. “In lighting, we’ve learned that cannabis has a far greater capacity for photosynthesis than other crops grown in controlled environments, while simultaneously exhibiting peculiar morphological and metabolic responses not easily explained by photobiology as we know it today. This has enabled cultivation practices more productive than in other crops while also raising new and exciting questions about plant metabolism.”
Following Hawley’s opening remarks was an in-depth panel of growers from Clade9, Aurora Cannabis and Curaleaf, where heads of cultivation discussed crop metrics, breeding practices and other key tactics that drive success across craft and commercial-scale operations. The 2024 agenda also featured global cannabis researchers—including Dr. Youbin Zheng, professor at the University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Sciences, and Dominique van Gruisen, co-founder and managing director of Innexo BV—as well as other leading minds in automation, genetics and artificial intelligence.
“We’re turning an important page in the cannabis industry,” Hawley added. “If chapter one was focused on maximizing and homogenizing plants, chapter two will solidify cannabis as a true horticultural crop. The cannabis industry has matured in a very exciting way. Our robust PHOTOx agenda underscores the industry’s evolution by exploring next-generation cannabis breeding practices, innovative pest management strategies and practical cultivation methods you might find in the world of produce farming.”
Fluence, a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial cannabis production, announced today its multiyear collaboration with Holistic Industries, one of the largest private multistate cannabis operators, has surpassed 120,000 square feet of canopy under Fluence lights.
The companies’ long-term collaboration was born out of a successful LED trial in 2018 at Holistic’s Pennsylvania cultivation facility. When compared to Holistic’s legacy high-pressure sodium fixtures, Fluence’s VYPR top lights decreased overall energy consumption at the same light intensity, increased biomass and maximized the phenotypic expression of the cultivar’s genetics. Today, the company grows completely under Fluence’s VYPR lights.
“Optimizing our facilities with Fluence’s LED lighting has allowed us to dial in production to meet the unique demands of each of our markets,” said Joe Bergen, senior vice president of product and operations for Holistic Industries. “We are known throughout the country for our high-quality flower and other cannabis products. Partnering with Fluence to tweak and adjust each of our cultivation environments to yield consistent products for our consumers has been key to our continued success.”
In 2021, Holistic expanded operations into Michigan, now the No. 1 cannabis market in the U.S. Holistic’s data-driven approach to plant quality has cemented its position as one of the top flower producers in the state.
“We’re here because we love to grow this plant—and we see that same passion for outstanding cultivation in our partners at Fluence,” said Chris Cortina, facility manager at Holistic’s Michigan site. “Our goal is to curate the best phenotypic expression from our cultivars. In collaborating with Fluence’s horticulture services team, we’ve developed specific methodologies for adjusting light intensity that certainly drive yield but, most importantly, impact the bud’s potency, smell and taste—all factors our customers seek us out for.”
“The Holistic team has unlocked a powerful model for multistate success: They are profitable, true to craft cannabis, extremely popular among consumers and are continually improving to meet new needs,” said Jason Matlock, horticulture service specialist for Fluence. “From day one, the Holistic team has operated with a data-first mentality to optimize their facilities, something we similarly value at Fluence.”
Fluence, a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial cannabis and food production, announced today the success of its partnership with award-winning, Michigan-based cannabis grower LightSky Farms.
Founded in 2009 by wine industry veteran Shannon Walters, LightSky Farms was created with a precise vision for preserving original source terpenes, building a world-class team of cultivation experts and leveraging leading technologies to cultivate an unmatched cannabis experience.
“At LightSky Farms, partnering with Fluence has been a game-changer. Their innovative LED lighting technology has revolutionized how we cultivate cannabis, allowing us to unlock the full potential of each plant and deliver unparalleled quality in every harvest,” said Alex Gonzalez, head of product development and testing for LightSky Farms. “Fluence has been around since the beginning. I associate their brand with some of the best lights in the world—exactly what we’ve experienced in working with them.”
Known for their advanced growing techniques such as phenotype hunting and selective breeding to grow novel cannabis strains, LightSky leverages Fluence’s VYPR and RAZR-M LED light fixtures to optimize plant expression and improve energy efficiency from seed to harvest.
“Michigan recently surpassed California as the highest-selling cannabis market in the country,” said Jason Matlock, PhD, horticulture service specialist at Fluence. “The incredible demand underscores the value and necessity of locally rooted, science-backed cannabis cultivators like LightSky Farms who are committed to putting only the best products in customers’ hands.”
LightSky’s focus on achieving superior plant quality requires extensive research. The LightSky team tested a variety of lighting options before deciding that Fluence fixtures were a natural fit for growing high-quality cannabis that is rich in cannabinoids and desirable terpenes.
“LightSky Farms has emphasized quality through cutting-edge technology and best practices since their founding. Their experts lean on objective data and analytics to decipher the bigger picture—making them the ideal partners,” said David Hawley, PhD, principal scientist at Fluence. ”We will continue to drive cutting-edge collaborations that allow us to help the cannabis cultivators we work with differentiate in their markets and grow smarter.”
Fluence, a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial cannabis and food production, announced today results from its successful partnership with California cannabis cultivator Clade9. In the first grow cycle under Fluence LEDs, Clade9 experienced a yield increase of 70%.
“We’re proud to support growers in finding optimal lighting solutions to differentiate in the competitive cannabis market,” said Michiel van Dam, CEO of Fluence. “In partnering with specialty growers like Clade9 and its founder and CEO, David Holmes, our horticulture services team of cannabis cultivation experts was able to introduce LEDs into their precision grow environment without any disruption to product quality.”
With more than 25 years of cultivation experience, Holmes is a pioneer in the California cannabis industry. Holmes created Clade9 in 2015 with a vision for providing consumers access to the highest-quality cannabis products. Clade9 firmly believes customers know the difference between “good enough” and premium cannabis.
To maintain and enhance product quality, Clade9 and Fluence worked together to convert a grow room outfitted with 72 high-pressure sodium (HPS) light fixtures to 72 Fluence RAPTRs, a high-output top light built specifically to function as a one-to-one replacement for legacy HPS fixtures. In the first harvest cycle under the new lights, Clade9 produced 281 pounds per grow room, up from an average of 165 pounds per grow room prior to the Fluence partnership—a 70% increase in yield—while maintaining the high standard of quality for which Clade9 is known.
“The quality of light fixtures is crucial. Fluence’s RAPTR fixtures are easy to install and maintain, and have made an incredibly positive impact on our grow,” Holmes said. “But the real reason to work with Fluence is the support. Their team of cultivation and design experts made every step of the process easier—and have helped us optimize elements beyond lighting to ensure we meet and exceed our goals.”
The RAPTR 2 and VYPR 4 provide maximum versatility for greenhouse lighting, featuring tunable spectra with optimal light intensity and optical distributions for produce and floriculture growers worldwide
AUSTIN, Texas & ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (Feb. 29, 2024)—Fluence, a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial cannabis and food production, announced its newest LED top light solutions for produce and ornamental cultivators: RAPTR 2 and VYPR 4.
Fluence’s latest LED innovations were developed in parallel with the company’s global research program, which includes partnerships with industry leaders worldwide and in-house analysis of spectral optimization across crops. The new RAPTR and VYPR offerings build upon Fluence’s existing portfolio of lighting solutions to offer robust fixtures with higher wattages, greater efficiencies and overall increased ROI for growers throughout the world.
RAPTR 2: Higher wattages and tunable spectra help growers maximize light output and efficiency at lower installation costs
The RAPTR 2 fixture’s wide power range (up to 1400 W), multi-channel tunable spectra and up to 5050 μmol/s of light output make it the optimal lighting solution for upgrading HPS fixtures in greenhouse environments. Featuring steerable spectra—including far red—integrated wireless dimming capability and efficacies up to 4.0 μmol/J, cultivators can achieve improved crop performance and lower operating expenses with the new RAPTR 2.
“The latest RAPTR and VYPR series luminaires showcase that Fluence’s primary mission remains unchanged: Help the world grow smarter through the most advanced LED fixtures,” said Steve Graves, senior vice president of strategy and business development at Fluence. “We’re excited to launch our most powerful and efficient solutions yet and we look forward to advancing the industry together with partners across the globe.”
VYPR 4: More versatility and control that maximizes cultivation results
Featuring the VYPR line’s familiar low-profile design, VYPR 4 offers more spectral options, light uniformity at any mounting height, easy installation and higher light intensities with lower energy consumption.
“VYPR 4 is a versatile top light solution,” said Jordon Musser, chief product officer for Fluence. “The latest generation focuses on what every grower wants: a more efficient output that yields a clear ROI. Installation is swift, the fixtures are extremely durable, and growers can tap into Fluence’s diverse spectral options to curate a lighting program unique to their cultivation goals.”
VYPR 4 features output up to 3030 μmol/s and efficiency up to 3.9 μmol/J. The fixture also includes dual-channel far red spectra as well as Fluence’s wide variety of PhysioSpec™ spectra to empower growers with multiple lighting strategies. VYPR 4’s low profile creates the least possible shading in a greenhouse environment and now offers a wide-beam optic for optimized light distribution.
Fluence will showcase RAPTR 2 and VYPR 4 during its upcoming global trade shows, including HortiContact from March 5 to March 7, 2024 in the Netherlands.
To learn more about the RAPTR and VYPR series and how to schedule a trial at your facility, visit www.fluence-led.com.
Fluence, a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial cannabis and food production, announced today it was named 2023’s "Lighting Company of the Year" at the inaugural EMJAYS International Cannabis Awards.
The EMJAYS is a collaboration between award-winning event producers Farechild Events and MJBizCon, the cannabis industry’s largest trade show and media entity. The program recognizes leaders across the cannabis industry, including financial services organizations, branding and marketing firms, technology providers and others.
"It is an honor to receive the first-ever EMJAYS award for ‘Lighting Company of the Year,’" said Michiel van Dam, CEO of Fluence. "Our success is only made possible by the hundreds of incredible growers we’ve worked with throughout our history. We are committed to helping cultivators boost plant quality, drive increased yields and meet their cultivation goals—to ensure they can not only grow smarter but thrive."
Fluence’s award comes after Cannabis Business Times released its eighth-annual "State of the Cannabis Lighting Market" report, which found that at least 70% of commercial growers use LEDs across propagation, vegetation and flowering. Over 60% of surveyed growers also achieved yields of more than 50 grams per square foot of canopy under LED fixtures.
Finalists and winners were recognized during MJBizCon on Nov. 30, 2023, at the Pearl Concert Theater in the Palms Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. A full list of winners can be found here.
For more information on Fluence, visit www.fluence-led.com.
Austin, Texas and Rotterdam, Netherlands — Fluence, a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial cannabis and food production, announced it will have a major presence at MJBizCon, the leading cannabis industry conference. Fluence Cannabis Solutions Architect Casey Rivero will join a panel alongside Fluence customers to discuss how growers can maximize crop quality. In addition, the company is investing in connecting the cannabis community at this year’s conference, providing product demonstrations from Fluence’s line of leading LED lighting solutions as well as hosting a series of Grower Talks with Fluence experts at the company’s booth.
Moderated by MJBizDaily reporter Solomon Israel, Rivero’s session, entitled “Powering Through Market Conditions: How Growers in Established Markets are Doubling Down on Quality and Boosting Their Bottom-Line,” will provide growers with concrete steps they can take to navigate an uncertain market. Rivero, a former cannabis cultivator, will be joined by Travis Higginbotham, StateHouse vice president of cultivation; Chris Castle, COO and co-founder of Flora & Flame; Andrew Reich, division manager at SunMed Growers; and Tyler Smith, principal advisor at Smith Cultivations. The panel will take place from 10 to 10:40 a.m. PST on Thursday, Nov. 30 in room N259.
“Though I have had my own grows for years, I find myself learning every single day from the cultivators we collaborate with,” Rivero said. “I’m honored to sit beside some of the industry’s most successful and innovative growers and share our firsthand knowledge on what it takes to deliver the highest-quality product to the market.”
The company will also host a series of Grower Talks throughout the show at the Fluence booth (No. 43023). As part of the series, growers can learn about innovative HPS retrofitting strategies, intercanopy lighting solutions and other topics top of mind in the cannabis industry. Growers will have the opportunity to ask questions and solicit advice from experts in their field, including Taylor Kirk and Dr. Jason Matlock from Fluence’s Horticulture Services division, as well as Dr. David Hawley, principal scientist and head of Fluence’s Crop Research division. For a detailed list of sessions, including times and featured experts, visit Fluence’s social media the week of the show.
“MJBizCon is an opportunity for the brightest minds in cannabis to come together and share the latest innovations across every facet of the industry,” said Lorrie Schultz, senior vice president of marketing for Fluence. “We’re looking forward to amplifying the voices of our customers as well as sharing insights from our in-house cannabis experts to showcase how Fluence’s LED technology can help cultivators grow smarter, more efficiently and at the highest quality.”
Fluence experts will also demo products from the company’s suite of LED technologies, including its RAPTR, VYPR, SPYDR, RAZR and VYNE fixtures—each designed to make cannabis growers’ lives easier. According to Fluence and Cannabis Business Times’ recently released “State of the Cannabis Lighting Market” report, growers are addressing ongoing industry challenges by redoubling their focus on crop quality. Fluence’s LED technology and cultivation expertise helps cannabis growers throughout the world improve bud density and quality and drive financial success.
For more information on Fluence, stop by the company’s MJBizCon booth in Las Vegas, No. 43023, between Nov. 28 and Dec. 1—or visit www.fluence-led.com.
Fluence and Cannabis Business Times’ Annual “State of the Cannabis Lighting Market” report reinforces dominant adoption of LEDs, positive impact on yields. Eighth annual “State of the Cannabis Lighting Market” report highlights the sustained high rate of LED adoption among commercial cannabis growers.
AUSTIN, Texas & ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (Nov. 2, 2023)—Fluence, a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial cannabis and food production, announced today the eighth-annual “State of the Cannabis Lighting Market” report. The report is developed collaboratively with and distributed by Cannabis Business Times, a national publication focused on helping accelerate the success and normalization of the legal cannabis market by providing actionable intelligence to help all aspects of the business succeed and grow.
The accelerated adoption of LEDs among commercial cannabis growers continued to be a dominant theme in this year’s report. For the second year in a row, at least 70% of study participants from commercial indoor or greenhouse operations with supplemental lighting used LEDs in propagation, vegetation or flowering. Under LED technology, this year’s survey also revealed that 66% of commercial growers reported a yield of more than 50 grams per square foot of canopy—an increase of 11 percentage points from 2022.
“Fluence remains dedicated to providing industry-leading support for cannabis cultivators. That includes collaborating with leading authorities like Cannabis Business Times to publish the ‘State of the Cannabis Lighting Market’ report to amplify growers’ voices and provide critical insights into how they are navigating the market,” said Steve Graves, senior vice president of strategy and product at Fluence.
This year’s “State of the Cannabis Lighting Market” report highlights many growers’ increasing focus on crop quality as an important differentiator in a market seeing oversaturation and consolidation. A majority of respondents in this year’s survey (62%) listed “crop quality” as the most important factor for using LEDs in cannabis production—“yield” came in second place at 16%.
“In the midst of economic and operational headwinds, we will continue to uphold our commitment to advancing LED adoption and helping cultivators improve their yields and support their financial success through innovative lighting strategies,” Graves said.
Growers in this year’s survey who are not planning to use LEDs in cannabis flowering cited fears related to return on investment and capital expenditures. Yet more than half of survey respondents (56%) haven’t explored rebates, which are one of the most effective cost-saving tools available to growers making capital investments—while another quarter of respondents (24%) are aware of rebates but don’t plan to apply for one. Fluence’s award-winning rebate program has saved growers more than $26 million to date.
“The findings in the 2023 ‘State of the Cannabis Lighting Market’ report illustrate just how quickly the industry continues to evolve and adapt to ever-changing market realities,” said Michelle Simakis, editor-in-chief of Cannabis Business Times. “Having eight years of data allows us to see how cultivation companies continue to innovate and experiment with lighting technology and strategies, developing best practices to cultivate high quality cannabis efficiently. One of the most dramatic changes since 2016, the first year of the study, has been LED adoption, which has increased by nearly 60 percentage points in both veg and flower and by more than 50 percentage points in propagation.”
View the full report on the Fluence website or in Cannabis Business Times’ November/December issue.
