Sticking up for the stacked approach
Argument #1: Stacked trays trap heat. 🔥
This is true, but here at Growcer, with our vertical airflow technology and HVAC, this is not a determining factor. If you can’t handle the heat . . . find a solution.
Argument #2: If heat is “trapped,” you can only use low-intensity lights and therefore you sacrifice yield. 🌱
More light = more photosynthesis = more yield, right?
This is a very simplified statement that is not always true. In fact, super high light intensity is not great for most leafy greens. However, this is a more accurate statement for cannabis production so we have to give credit where credit is due.
Argument #3: If you can’t use the best lights, your yields are limited and so is your profitability. 💰
Remember the bigger picture? Other factors like crop and substrate selection, additives, cultivation schedules, nutrients, and farm maintenance also impact yield. Having the best lights doesn't put you on the path to profitability, it’s about your entire system and strategy.
Moreover, how do you define “the best lights?” Recents LEDs have low heat output so it is possible heat trapping will not be an issue at some point. It’s not just light intensity, it’s also about quality (light spectrum, lifespan, ingress protection rating, and yes, ratio of energy converted to light versus heat) that matters when selecting LEDs.
Argument #4: The spatial efficiency of a stacked tray is low, because it takes more surface area with lower light (that trapped heat problem, remember?) to produce as much as the same true vertical area with higher light. Plus, your spatial efficiency is lower because your human labour requirements are higher and plant densities are lower. In short, you’re not using the space as efficiently as you could with the resources you have! 👨🌾
The light argument is over simplified and there are many workarounds to reduce labour. When it comes to plant density, more isn’t always better. Give your plants room to breathe and grow (big).
Plus, more “production space” is not synonymous with efficiency either. Vertical planes have their own challenges, such as
- More issues with nutrient distribution
- More pressure on plants to grow outside of their “natural” orientation (which can lead to morphological changes that impact marketability . . . and ultimately profitability)
- And, depending on the size of your growing plane, more labour requirements if you need to clean more intricate, small spots. Remember, labour is one of the most significant operating costs in a vertical farm.
Argument #5: Stacked tray systems struggle to support crops outside leafy greens at commercial scales. 🍅
This is true, but there are other more specific systems if you’d like to grow different crops.
