SmartAg Controls: Incentivizing Efficiency & Yields

This final report summarizes the findings, challenges, and recommendations from a field demonstration project evaluating daily light integral (DLI)–based smart lighting controls in commercial greenhouse operations. The authors of this report—referred to as the evaluation, measurement, and verification (EM&V) contractor team—conducted the third-party energy monitoring and verification, which included sensor selection, sensor installation, data collection, data analysis, and report writing. The vendor for the lighting equipment and DLI controls was responsible for site selection, site recruitment, installation, commissioning, and site operations coordination. The project aimed to assess whether advanced DLI-driven lighting controls could dynamically adjust light intensity and duration in response to real-time environmental conditions, improving energy efficiency without impacting crop productivity. While the project navigated commissioning and operational challenges that limited the ability to fully test DLI-based controls, the study provides valuable insights for future implementations, utility program designs, and California Title 24 code enhancements.The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the energy savings, demand reduction potential, and crop productivity impacts of DLI-based lighting controls in real-world greenhouse conditions. The project also documents lessons learned, refines protocols for DLI-based optimization, and provides actionable recommendations to inform utility incentive programs and promote broader industry adoption.This report reflects baseline development, DLI-based smart lighting controls system implementation, performance analysis, and stakeholder engagement. The project successfully documented lessons learned, provided interim data, and engaged stakeholders to ensure the findings are actionable and relevant for future deployments.