'Dynamic lighting is quickly starting to become the standard'

The rapid shift
“It's happening so quickly. Just two years ago, we were explaining the value and benefits of dynamic lighting. Today, growers are asking for it. The shift is undeniable, says Brun, reflecting on how fast the industry has changed. North America is the home base for the Montréal-based company. Brun expects the focus in 2025 to be on further expanding its leadership position in smart lighting in this market. “But we are also ready for Europe. We are currently seeing growing interest from horticultural companies from European countries. There are several requests running from growers of flowers, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers,” says the CEO.

Unique Lighting System
Sollum Technologies is paving the way with its innovative SUN as a Service® (SUNaaS®) cloud platform, which gives growers control over their lighting. “The goal is flexibility”, says Brun. “Our solution adapts to each greenhouse crop, adjusting to its specific needs at different growth stages." Our 3-in-1 solution includes smart, fully programmable light fixtures controlled by the SUNaaS platform, and expert guidance from Sollum’s team of “smart support specialists.” This in-house team of agronomic, horticultural, engineering and technical experts advise on the best lighting strategy for every crop.

The role of AI is central to Sollum’s efficiency. “AI in every fixture might sound like science fiction, but it’s an essential part of our solution. By learning from each crop’s responses and adjusting lighting in real time, we can optimize crop health and energy use,” explains Brun.

Since it is a self-learning solution, it improves over time by adding more data – like light intensity and spectrum measurements – and by understanding how crops respond. “Data allows the solution to make more precise decisions, improving lighting effectiveness with every crop cycle,” says Brun.

Tailored Strategies
Sollum's service to clients also includes advising on the optimal use of the lighting system. “We want growers to maximize the flexibility of their lighting by tailoring it to farm-specific factors. That starts with crop type, geographic location and climate. After all, the availability of natural light depends on latitude on Earth,” Brun says.

But the strategy can be even more sophisticated. “Our system allows you to adapt to the dynamics of different growth stages. First you tune the lighting to root development, later to flowering, setting, stem formation, then to production when the crop is mature. It's a dynamic approach, which also sets us apart.” The bottom line is that Sollum's fixtures adapt to the crop and the greenhouse, not the other way around.

Energy Efficiency and Cost Adaptability
Another layer of SUNaaS is energy costs. “We know that growers in some case need to adjust their strategy based on electricity prices,” explain Brun. “That’s why we have included a module in our platform that helps growers set their lighting strategy to optimize energy consumption – without compromising on crop quality.”

Collaboration and Innovation
Knowledge about the best lighting strategy, the lighting intensity and the right spectrum for each crop are still developing worldwide. Sollum actively collaborates with industry partners such as Delphy to stay ahead of the curve. “Working with experts and integrating the latest insights into our platform helps our clients benefit from the most cutting-edge tech,” says Brun.” By adapting our software quickly, we ensure growers can access new advancements without needing to change their hardware.”

Looking Forward

In the end, Sollum’s mission is clear: “We’re here to help growers achieve their business goals. Their success is our priority. By empowering them with a flexible, dynamic lighting solution, we’re not just changing how crops are grown – we’re helping to shape the future of the industry.”

Author: Koen van Wijk

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