Sollum Technologies has received $5 million in funding from the Government of Canada’s Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) foundation for the Montreal, Quebec-based company’s light-emitting diode (LED) lighting technology.
The proprietary technology helps greenhouse growers create customized and programmable light systems to cultivate any produce locally, regardless of its native climate and the location of the greenhouse.
SDTC’s investment will help Sollum accelerate the adoption of its unique solution, which contributes to seven of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including viability of food production systems through resilient agricultural practices, the affordable green energy movement, and sustainable consumption and production.
Proven benefits from customer and partner facilities so far validate the core concept of Sollum’s technology:
- productivity increases of up to 40 per cent,
- energy savings of up to 30 per cent,
- longer food storage life, and
- improved produce taste and appearance.
“Canadian companies like Sollum Technologies are offering real world solutions to sustainable food production through innovative and viable agricultural practices,” says Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “With this investment, our government is supporting Canadians as they seize the opportunities created by cleantech, while leaving a cleaner and more prosperous planet for our kids.”
“Canadian cleantech entrepreneurs are tackling problems across Canada and in every sector. I am encouraged that this unprecedented economic climate has shone a spotlight on the importance of local food production and its impact on the economy and the environment,” said Leah Lawrence, president and CEO of SDTC. “Technologies like Sollum’s are leading the way to greater sustainability of food production, and this investment will help get it to market.”
For further information on SDTC, click here.
Featured image credit: Sollum Technologies.