Solar energy for cannabis growers

Cannabis production is an energy-intensive activity. Growers need to maintain the right temperature, light, and humidity conditions for the plant to grow. The process requires an electrical system with sufficient capacity to run operations such as lighting, HVAC system, drying, CO2 injection, space heating or water treatment. Solar power for cannabis growers can be a great alternative, please read the article to learn more.

Amount of electricity used to produce cannabis

According to a report by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, cannabis production could require between 60 MW and 160 MW of electricity consumption over the next 14 years. To put this in perspective, the estimate from the report means that the amount of electricity used to maintain four cannabis plants is as much as it takes to run 19 refrigerators.

According to statistics from the United States on cannabis production, approximately 13,000 kW / h / year of electricity is required to run a standard production module (a 1,21,22.4 m (448 ft) chamber). Each module would produce 1 pound (0.5 kg) of final product per cycle, four to five production cycles per year. And a single growhouse can contain anywhere from 10 to 100 of this standard module. The estimated electricity consumption for a grow house is around 20 TW / h / year nationwide. That’s equivalent to the electricity consumption of 2 million households in the US. That’s roughly 1 percent of national electricity consumption, which equates to $ 6 billion a year.

Solar energy – an alternative energy source for cannabis production

Cannabis production not only requires high electricity consumption, but also leaves a large carbon footprint. Two pounds of cannabis can produce around 10,141 pounds of carbon dioxide. The current estimate is that the cannabis industry produces more than 16.5 million tons of carbon emissions per year – with the current estimate of the social cost of carbon being more than $ 50 per tonne.

Solar power and battery storage are ideal choices for cannabis growers looking to reduce production costs and minimize their impact on the environment. The switch to solar energy will help companies offset electricity costs, create long-term sustainable production and improve their brand image. It also allows them to receive incentives and tax credits from the government.

From left to right: CFO, CEO and Cultivation Manager at Solar Therapeutics-Robert Keller, Ed Dow and Brendan Delaney (cannabisbusinesstimes)

Some companies have taken green approaches and this is producing results. Solar Therapeutics in Massachusetts has approximately 70,000 square feet of solar panels on its roof and four acres of solar panels behind its facility. Edward Dow, CEO of Solar Therapeutics, announced on MassLive that his company can generate 5.5 megawatts of electricity and cut its monthly electricity bills in half.

“Building sustainably is not only useful for the look, but also as an investment,” says Dow.