When looking at energy spending, it makes sense to first look at the size of the cultivation operation, namely the cultivation space. Grow space ranges quite drastically among research participants:
- 80,000 sq. ft. or more: 11%
- 50,000 – 79,9999 sq. ft.: 8%
- 25,000 – 49,999 sq. ft.: 13%
- 10,000 – 24,999 sq. ft.: 16%
- 5,000 – 9,999 sq. ft.: 17%
- 2,500 – 4,999 sq. ft.: 9%
- less than 2,500 sq. ft.: 24%
Since the largest percentage have very small grows (less than 2,500 sq. ft.), it makes sense that the largest number (32%) of cultivators say they spend less than $25,000 annually on energy. Fourteen percent say they spend $150,000 or more annually on energy. Of those, just 3% spend $500,000 or more, and 5% spend between $300,000 and $500,000 annually.)
Lighting plays a significant role in cultivators’ efforts to curb energy use; 54% of respondents say that lighting is an area where their operations have processes and/or technology in place to increase energy efficiency in cultivation.
