Sollum Technologies and Leaficient say they are collaborating to develop the first closed-loop, plant-adaptive dynamic lighting system, which adjusts LED lighting in real time based on plant productivity and growth rates.
Traditional lighting strategies rely on daily light integral as the primary metric for optimizing plant growth, based on the premise that plants absorb and use light with the same efficiency throughout the day and at all growth stages, however, the companies say recent research has shown that plant productivity can change significantly based on a multitude of factors relating to the environment, resources provided and internal biological processes.
“Today’s lighting strategies are outdated because they don’t take into account the actual efficiency of light absorption by plants,” François R.-Moisan, chief technology officer and co-founder of Sollum Technologies, said in a news release. “Growers are often paying for photons that plants are not using effectively. By integrating Leaficient’s real-time plant measurement technology with our dynamic LED lighting solution, we can now ensure that every photon is maximally utilized — boosting yields while reducing energy costs.”
The combined Sollum-Leaficient solution leverages Leaficient’s plant monitoring technology to measure photosynthetic efficiency and adjust light intensity accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures that plants receive the exact amount of light they need, precisely when they need it, eliminating unnecessary energy costs and optimizing growth conditions for any crop varieties, the release said.
“The future of horticultural lighting isn’t just about delivering more light — it’s about delivering the right light at the right time,” said Leaficient co-founder and CEO Brian Stancil. “By focusing on real-time plant productivity rather than static lighting schedules, we’re not just improving efficiency — we’re transforming how growers manage their crops.”
The companies say their collaboration is a “paradigm shift” in controlled environment agriculture with the first plant-aware dynamic lighting solution that maximizes both yield and sustainability.
For greenhouse and vertical farm operators, this innovation offers an alternative to legacy lighting strategies that often rely on static schedules and overcompensate with excessive energy consumption, the release said. Instead, Sollum and Leaficient say they offer an intelligent lighting system that adapts to the biological rhythms of crops to ensure optimal performance at every stage of development.
Beyond optimizing lighting efficiency, the solution will enable precise control over crop development, triggering fruiting and flowering at optimal times or even enhancing specific nutrient and flavor profiles, the release said.
Those attending the March 11-12 Indoor Ag-Con can visit Sollum Technologies at booth No. 1125 to learn more about the precision lighting control.
