In a world where market dynamics are changing faster than ever before, consumer tastes shift to new cultivars, electricity rates rise or drop by the hour and a virus can derail an entire crop plan. While traditional “full spectrum” LEDs solved some of the heat and wattage problems associated with high-pressure sodium lamps (HPS), they only provide a fixed spectrum lighting recipe set for every hour, every crop, all season long.
With Sollum’s 3-in-1 dynamic LED solution, you can rewrite a light recipe on demand. The blue, green, red and far-red channels are independently tunable, allowing you to meet the needs of any cultivar at any growth stage, or take advantage of lower utility tariff periods. All of this can be achieved without new hardware or downtime.
Static vs dynamic—what changes?
- Spectral agility
A fixed “full-spectrum” fixture delivers a broad, yet unchanging, spectrum of light. Sollum’s dynamic grow light solution allows you to dial in crop-specific recipes on the SUN as a Service® (SUNaaS®) platform and adjust the combination of wavelengths. - Real-time dimming
Unlike static lighting, which has on/off limits, SUNaaS modulates the photon output every minute to maintain an exact Daily Light Integral (DLI). Fixtures dim automatically when sunlight spikes or drops, ensuring that no kWh is wasted. - Zone-by-zone control
One greenhouse bay can run dozens of spectra simultaneously. Tomato seedlings receive a blue-rich start while fruiting cucumbers in the next row benefit from a R:FR boost, all without any rewiring. - Top-tier rebates
Utilities reward controllability. Because SUNaaS logs every dimming and spectrum event, Sollum users often qualify for the highest incentive tier, eliminating the need for meters or spreadsheets.
Proven in the greenhouse*
- Cannabis, Québec (Greentone, 2025)
Strain-specific spectra delivered 25% more finished product and shortened harvest cycles by six days. - Winter tomato, Québec (Les Serres Bertrand, 2025)
A far-red "winter" recipe raised yield by 17% over 25 weeks. - Mini cucumber, Ontario (Red Sun Farms Ontario, 2024)
DLI-driven dimming and spectrum shifts-maintained yield up 16.7% while cutting lighting energy consumption by 26% annually—peaking at 44% in the sunniest month.
These outcomes depended on the two features fixed fixtures lack: spectral agility and minute-level dimming. In every case study, these levers translated directly into more kilos per square metre or fewer kilowatt-hours per kilo, often both.
Why agility matters now
- Disease and pests
Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) has forced some tomato greenhouses to switch crops quickly. Since a static spectrum designed for tomatoes does not work well for cucumbers or strawberries, it negatively impacts the plants' response and the electrical savings. A dynamic LED fixture provides instant spectrum change, unlocking the new crop's benefits.
- Energy-price volatility
Ontario’s HOEP day-ahead rate can triple within 24 hours. SUNaaS allows growers to schedule photons around these price spikes while meeting their crop’s DLI.
- Consumer taste cycles
Today, retail buyers are asking for seasonal strawberry, mini cucumber, and lettuce SKUs—sometimes within the same contract year. Dynamic LEDs help you chase revenue without having to chase expensive, delivery-and installation-dependent new hardware.
- Is a full-spectrum LED the same as a dynamic LED? No. “Full spectrum” delivers a broad but fixed wavelength blend. Dynamic LEDs let you adjust individual channels in real time.
- Will I need new wiring? Again, no. Sollum’s fixtures install as easily as conventional LEDs; spectrum changes are managed in the SUNaaS software.
- How does the Sollum LED grow light solution interface with other greenhouse management systems? The SUNaaS platform uses an open-source architecture, enabling a seamless interaction with other greenhouse management systems.
- How is your solution future-proof? Our solution is fully dynamic/programmable. This means that there is no need to change the fixtures’ software when switching crops. Unlike fixed spectrum lighting, our solution can adapt to your in-greenhouse observations or apply the most recent scientific findings in plant lighting. And growers benefit from all software updates.
Looking ahead
Part 2 will show how dynamic dimming can slice kilowatt-hours without compromising the DLI. Part 3 will cover climate-computer integration and the rebate paper work advantages of automatic log files.
See full PDFs of the studies mentioned here at SollumTechnologies.com/case-studies.
*Results may vary based on crop, environment, and usage conditions.
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