These indoor farms grow vegetables sustainably and locally in areas where traditional field farming is not possible. The lighting system uses 85% less energy than traditional systems.
Update (15 November, 2021):
Seven years on, Signify (formerly Philips Lighting) is launching its first global virtual horticulture COE for Singapore and Asia.
Feeding the growing population with Philips city farming.
Royal Philips has partnered with Green Sense Farms (GSF), a Chicago-area commercial grower, to develop one of the largest indoor commercial farms using LED grow lights tailored to their specific crops.
“By growing our crops vertically, we are able to pack more plants per acre than we would have in a field farm, which results in more harvests per year. We produce little waste, no agricultural runoff and minimal greenhouse gasses because the food is grown where it is consumed,” said Robert Colangelo.
This innovative farming model allows them to harvest 20-25 times a year by using ‘light recipes’ optimised for their produce, using 85 percent less energy.
The result will be an increase in crop yields and reduced operating costs, while providing consumers with locally grown, fresh vegetables throughout the year.
GSF is located in a small town called Portage, which is very close to Chicago.
GSF has invested millions of dollars to renovate and equip a million cubic foot indoor growing area consisting of fourteen 25 foot tall growing towers in two climate-controlled grow rooms.
These rooms use Philips energy-efficient LED solutions tailored to their specific crops.
This method also eliminates the need for harmful pesticides, fertilisers or preservatives, resulting in produce that is organically grown and virtually chemical free.
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