The Grove Nevada Experiences Unprecedented Positive Results from their Grow by using Heliospectra's LED Grow Lights
Heliospectra AB (publ) (OTCQB: HLSPY, FIRSTNORTH: HELIO), a world leader in intelligent lighting technology for controlled environments horticulture, is excited to share the positive results that its customer, The Grove Nevada, is experiencing.
The Grove Nevada is a 40,000 ft2 cannabis grow operation using state-of-the-art vertical farming techniques and technology. During the Fall of 2015 they chose to invest in over 600 Heliospectra LED grow lights. The investment decision was made based on harvested yields and crop quality results, HVAC and electrical savings, and less than one year Return on Investment (ROI). These three factors contribute to continuous operational savings and profitable production at The Grove.
When the Las Vegas based company began exploring lighting options, they took a hard look at available lighting technologies. The Grove compared harvested yields and crop quality between various manufacturers, and the Heliospectra LX601C grow light stood out from the competition. Driving Heliospectra's advantage is the unprecedented level of control over light spectrum, intensity, and duration:
"By choosing Heliospectra LED grow lights, The Grove is able to design light recipes that mimic sunrise, mid-day, and sunset. This approach, combined with a 'far-red push' during the last few weeks of flowering, equates to more harvests per year and a more profitable operation." - said Kevin Biernacki, Head Grower at The Grove.
The Grove's first harvest yielded a strain with a Myrcene levels of 10% and another boasting an impressive 31.4% THC level.
From an energy efficiency perspective, The Grove pays approximately half the electricity cost of a traditional HID oriented grow (e.g. High Pressure Sodium or Metal Halide). Further, the choice to use Heliospectra LED grow lights had a major impact on the HVAC infrastructure investment for The Grove.
"We originally specified the HVAC system in our facility for HPS lighting. By using Heliospectra LED grow lights we were able to cut the HVAC demanded in half, saving us over 1.4mil USD in upfront expenses. The ROI with LED lamps was obvious." - Kevin Biernacki.
The general contractor, Aaron Tippets of Tippets Mechanical, did his own heat testing of HPS versus LED. His conclusions were that with Heliospectra, only 50 tons of A/C would be required. This gave The Grove further confirmation that installing Heliospectra LED grow lights is a much more profitable path and justifies the initial investment. The final calculations show the ROI with Heliospectra's lighting technology is within one year of operation.
As discerning business owners, the Grove did their research. Heliospectra outperformed the competition in harvested yields, crop quality, HVAC and electrical savings, and Return on Investment timeframe. These factors gave The Grove the confidence to invest in Heliospectra to be their preferred lighting supplier as they build their business. The outlook for expansion is promising as the medical cannabis market in Nevada continues to expand and their voters take to the polls in November to decide on adult use (recreational) of cannabis.
Click on the link below to view videos from The Grove to hear more about their results and why they chose Heliospectra. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLopVZKgfInbPs_zt6TvPJt6xFs8ccW7CK
GOTHENBURG, Sweden/SAN FRANCISCO, CA, June 29th, 2016
Investor Relations:
Staffan Hillberg, CEO of Heliospectra | 46 (0)708 36 59 44 | staffan.hillberg@heliospectra.com
Michael Swartz, Senior Analyst | Viridian Capital Advisors, LLC | 1 212-333-0257 | mswartz@viridianca.com
G&W is Heliospectra’s Certified Advisor for Nasdaq First North - www.gwkapital.se
About Heliospectra AB
Heliospectra AB (publ) (OTCQB: HLSPY, FIRSTNORTH: HELIO) (www.heliospectra.com) specializes in intelligent lighting technology for plant research and greenhouse cultivation. The Company's lighting system provides an effective and durable technology for cultivating greenhouse and indoor plants by combining several different groups of versatile light emitting diodes (LEDs) with optics, remote sensing techniques, and a robust heat dissipation solution. This proprietary setup gives growers the ability to control the intensity and wavelengths of the light emitted, creating a spectrum specifically adjusted to different plant species and growth stages to better facilitate photosynthesis. The complete, highly- engineered lamp produces crops that look better, taste better, and have a longer shelf-life than those grown under HID lamps. The technology not only reduces energy consumption by up to 50%, but also helps stimulate growth characteristics and improve plant quality. Other benefits include reduced light pollution, lower mercury use due to the avoidance of traditional HID/HPS bulbs, and less HVAC investment and monthly expense requirements.
Heliospectra products are based on in-depth knowledge in plant physiology and photosynthesis along with a unique way to utilize modern LED technology. After six years of development in Sweden, the company has now begun to expand into the international market. The company has raised more than $ 21 million in capital and has received more than $2.6 million through academic scholarships and grants. It has also received numerous awards for its forward thinking technology. Principal owners: Weland Steel www.welandstal.se, Swedish Industrial Fund www.industrifonden.se, Midroc www.midroc.se, Avanza Pension www.avanza.se.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Such statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, such forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, technical advances in the industry as well as political and economic conditions present within the industry. We do not take any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or developments after a forward-looking statement was made.