CubicFarms Systems Use Significantly Less Energy Than Typical Vertical Farms

CubicFarms shared new data today that demonstrates that their modular solution uses less energy than other vertical farms.

With electricity being the number one energy cost in vertical farming, this is a significant advantage to customers using the CubicFarm System technology for indoor growing. 

Most vertical farming operations rely on light emitting diode (LED) grow lights positioned above every row of plants. Despite the significant land, water, and labour benefits of year-round indoor growing, the high energy usage of LED grow lights has slowed the wider adoption of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), like CubicFarms’ solution.

According to CubicFarms, a CubicFarm System module uses 54% to 62% less energy than results reported by other vertical farms surveyed globally.

“The new data clearly demonstrates that a CubicFarm System is the most energy-efficient way to  grow fresh produce indoors,” said Edoardo De Martin, President and Chief Technology Officer, CubicFarms.

“The high cost and energy requirements of thousands of LEDs is inefficient when  automation allows us to use just a single layer. This industry comparison proves the definitive  energy savings for our Farmer Partners growing produce using a CubicFarm System.” 

In 2020, the global vertical farming market was estimated at $3.24 billion and is expected to reach $24.11 billion by 2030. The world’s leading advisory firm on urban and controlled environment agriculture, Agritecture, highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability for claims about energy use in the vertical farming sector in its 2021 Global CEA Census Report. 

“Lighting accounts for 65% of energy usage in a typical indoor farming operation,” reported Henry Gordon-Smith, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Agritecture.

“62% indicated that they track energy consumption, but only 28% provided a credible number. Reporting how growers measure  specific ESG (environmental, social, and governance) outcomes provides much needed and valuable insights that affect new technology adoption rates, policies, financing, and global operations. We’re pleased to see CubicFarms taking a leadership role in benchmarking and  sharing its significant energy savings.”