The Impact of Environmental Monitoring on Indoor Cultivation Today and Tomorrow

With the growing momentum of indoor cultivation continuing throughout the world, the demand for more efficient environmental monitoring systems will continue to grow with it. The emergence of 5G Internet and mobile-optimized systems present a variety of new opportunities for indoor cultivators. Now, once isolated systems can be integrated into a greater IoT network, allowing for automation to maximize harvest and minimize cost. Here are just a few ways environmental monitoring has shaped the evolution of indoor cultivation and what the future has in store for the industry.

Improving Energy Efficiency

The continuing development of new environmental monitoring technology has paved the way for unprecedented operational efficiency. In many indoor grows, energy costs can reach as much as 45% of the total overhead. By upgrading the HVAC system and lighting components alone, indoor cultivation environments can lower energy costs by up to 15%. LED ballasts can now be moved to a single centralized location which reduces heat production in grow rooms and lowers HVAC costs as well. Indeed, the overarching challenge of indoor grow environments over the next decade will be to implement operational efficiency faster and more effectively than the competition. Nowadays, incentives for indoor cultivators to employ cost-saving measures are greater than ever. Upgrading to LED grow lights, for example, is estimated to save up to $57,028 annually, with a payback period of just under 4 years.

Regulating Humidity, Moisture, and Temperature

Cultivators can now monitor, measure, and regulate virtually every environmental factor impacting their operation. This results in increased yields and less crop loss due to fluctuations in moisture, humidity, temperature, or lighting. Meanwhile, new apps and wireless devices have made it possible to migrate environmental controls to a centralized location. Since everything from lighting cycles to watering schedules can be automated, freeing up valuable resources and improving the consistency of crop output. Additionally, improved environmental monitoring helps to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. In states like Massachusetts, the CCC (Cannabis Control Commission) have put forward rigorous guidelines to improve the energy efficiency of indoor cannabis grow operations. Going forward, environmental monitoring will be integral to meeting both state and federal standards.

Comprehensive Data Analysis

Environmental monitoring systems make it easier to compare metrics between harvests and make adjustments to maximize production. Growers can keep a Cloud-stored, secure record of optimal environmental conditions for specific crops for reference later, making it easier to replicate past successes or highlight problems. Metrics collected from monitoring provides valuable insights into operational costs versus yield. For instance, total Btu per square foot can be measured against the total yield to determine overall energy efficiency.

The rapid acceleration of technology will continue to have a positive impact on the efficiency and sustainability of indoor grow operations. Considering the rise of the cannabis industry alone, environmental controls will continue to evolve to keep pace with breakthroughs in wireless systems, automation, and data analysis. For indoor cultivators to succeed in an increasingly populated marketplace, growers will need to implement sophisticated environmental monitoring systems to maintain an edge in the industry.

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