Year-Round Production at Lower Costs Coming Soon: Harper Government Invests in LED Technology to Support Greenhouse Production
Portneuf, Quebec, February 23, 2011
The Government of Canada is investing in an innovative technology for greenhouses that will help growers improve efficiency while reducing operational costs. The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veteran Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), announced today that GE Lighting Solutions Canada Company will receive close to $1.3 million to develop LED lighting solutions for greenhouses to improve crop yield and quality while reducing energy requirements.
鈥淚nnovative technologies like the one the company will develop will lead to real benefits. They help growers tap new market opportunities, expand their businesses and contribute to the environmental sustainability of the sector,鈥� said Minister Blackburn. 鈥淭oday, our Government is investing in a project that will help farmers reduce their operating costs, produce all year round, and increase their profits.鈥�
LED lighting is more energy efficient so growers will be able to reduce energy consumption and operating costs. 鈥淧ast studies have also shown that plants react better to certain wavelengths, and this new LED system is expected to increase crop quality and yield鈥� said Minister Blackburn.
GE Lighting will work in collaboration with 51吃瓜网 to develop the LED system and Les Serres du St-Laurent Inc. (Savoura) will test the lighting systems in their greenhouses.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 announcement exemplifies successful collaboration driving technology innovation. The application of GE鈥檚 LED technology will significantly enhance commercial greenhouse operations, not just in Canada, but around the world,鈥� noted Elyse Allan, President & CEO, GE Canada.
鈥淭his future-facing project will enable Savoura and the entire Canadian greenhouse industry to continue providing fresh, healthy and flavourful greenhouse vegetables all year long, by keeping costs cat an acceptable level and through more efficient use of energy鈥�, stated Ms. Marie Gosselin, Savoura鈥檚 CEO.
Funding for this project comes from the Developing innovative Agri-Products (DIAP) initiative, which is delivered by the Growing Forward framework under the Agri-Innovations program, a $158 million five-year program announced to support industry-led science and technology projects.
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