Signify is supporting CosMic Plants, a Phalaenopsis orchid grower in Ontario, Canada, in CosMic's transition from HPS lighting to LED lighting with an expanded installation of Philip GreenPower LED toplighting. The Philips LED lighting, combined with the Philips GrowWise control system, provides CosMic Plants with the flexibility to cultivate its Phalaenopsis orchids, which are nurtured from tissue culture across 30,000 m2 greenhouses in Beamsville, Ontario.
By switching to LED lighting, CosMic Plants achieved a 35-40% reduction in energy consumption while simultaneously boosting light output by 35-40%. The GrowWise control system, tailored for managing Philips horticulture LED lighting, effortlessly integrated with CosMic Plants' existing Hoogendoorn climate control system, enables smooth operations and improves efficiency. Leveraging this technology, CosMic Plants has implemented custom lighting schedules that replicate the natural sunrise and sunset cycles, providing orchids with an environment that closely mirrors their native habitat.
© Signify Netherlands B.V.
CosMic Plants, a family-owned business led by Neil Van Steekelenburg and his son Connor—proudly representing the 4th and 5th generations of Van Steekelenburg growers—operates out of two locations in Beamsville. In 2021, the Van Steekelenburgs began exploring the use of LED technology to address their need for increased light output while navigating the constraints of their electrical capacity.
To optimize light distribution and ensure maximum uniformity for their crops, they selected Philips LED toplighting. The lights are arranged in a strategic checkerboard pattern, alternating between two spectra— vision white and red/blue, which supports plant growth and energy efficiency while allowing for easy visual inspection of the orchid plants. And thanks to the system's user-friendly plug-and-play design, the Van Steekelenburgs were able to handle much of the installation process independently, streamlining the transition to LED technology.
© Signify Netherlands B.V.
"One of the things that drew us to Signify, and the Philips brand is the fact that it's a large, strong and reputable company", explains Connor Van Steekelenburg "We wanted to partner with a company that we know can stand behind its product."
After the initial installation in 2022, the Van Steekelenburgs expanded with the installation of more than 2,000 Philips LED toplighting luminaires at their two facilities. "We are very excited about our partnership with Signify and the support we get from them," states Neil Van Steekelenburg. "We look forward to the additional results from our latest expansion."
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