When we previously spoke with the DLC, they pointed out that the LED adoption rate is higher among cannabis growers than vegetable growers. This is something that BIOS Lighting, a provider of advanced LED solutions, has also noticed firsthand. Since entering the industry in 2016, the company has witnessed the rapid growth of the cannabis market, which now drives a significant portion of its revenue. A similar trend has been observed in the vertical farming space. "Planted Detroit, for instance, but we also started working with Square Roots last summer," explains Jim Stephens, VP of Horticulture Sales at BIOS Lighting.
Navigating a space crowded with companies, Jim says that BIOS Lighting has always pushed the envelope to stand out in such a competitive market. "While some lighting companies push for maximum energy efficiency, growers require a spectrum that doesn't sacrifice yield or quality," he points out. After all, navigating the needs of both cannabis cultivators and energy-conscious stakeholders presents a balancing act. Cannabis plants are particularly demanding in their lighting needs, and striking the right balance through extensive research and innovation isn't an easy feat.
In a crowded marketplace filled with lighting companies offering complex, feature-heavy solutions, Jim says that BIOS Lighting prioritizes reliability and simplicity. "Many operations deploy thousands of fixtures, and not every grower is a master grower," Jim remarks. In other words, excessive customization can introduce points of error that may lead to catastrophic crop failures.
"Our philosophy is to make lighting as simple and reliable as possible, ensuring a low failure rate," says Jim. BIOS fixtures come with robust warranties, and the company prides itself on maintaining a strong customer support culture. "Unlike some firms that seek to capitalize on the cannabis boom, we are committed to long-term partnerships, offering consistent support and guidance to growers."
When speaking about ease of use, Jim points out how their standard grid system, designed for easy integration into common racking setups, simplifies deployment. "The introduction of the Rapid Rack feature in 2019 further enhanced adaptability, making it easier for growers to install and scale their lighting solutions efficiently," he says. This year, BIOS Lighting is coming in swinging with the launch of three new products in its portfolio.
The Bridge
Developed in collaboration with Nelson Lindsley from Poetry of Plants, The Bridge replicates the spectrum of HPS (High-Pressure Sodium) lighting, a staple for many cannabis growers. "The name itself indicates that this works as a bridge between HPS and LED," Jim says. Unlike a direct HPS replacement, it offers reduced power consumption, affecting variables like VPD (Vapor Pressure Deficit) and humidity. With a warmer spectrum featuring high peaks in blue and far-red wavelengths, The Bridge helps growers transition from HPS while maintaining plant health and productivity.
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Trailblazer 1040W
Designed as an HPS replacement, this fixture maintains classic broad-spectrum output while seamlessly integrating into existing electrical infrastructure. "The plug-and-play design makes retrofitting easy, reducing downtime and eliminating costly electrical upgrades," he says. He continues to describe what he believes is a standout feature: an integrated driver system. "If a driver fails, growers can replace it with an auxiliary driver instead of removing the entire fixture, minimizing disruptions to operations."
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Under Canopy Lighting
Under-canopy lighting has recently made many headlines given its results in cannabis cultivation. Research suggests that growers using under-canopy lighting experience up to a 30% yield increase. So, it's not surprising that BIOS Lighting is joining the fray with its own take on under-canopy lighting. "This solution eliminates the need for extensive defoliation, saving labor costs while improving plant growth. A recent case study from California showed a 35% yield increase and a reduction of five man-days of labor per crop cycle.
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In an industry that is moving at a rapid pace, Jim says that BIOS Lighting is constantly striving to develop more efficient lighting solutions for CEA growers. "We are always looking to the future. Our HPS spectrum works really well, and there's definitely room for it to be used in crops other than cannabis as well. We are also very excited about vertical farming, and in that space, considering how efficient vertical farmers need to be to remain profitable. Custom fixtures will pave the way for more opportunities, helping growers minimize operational cost."
For more information:
BIOS lighting
biosgrowlights.com