Business
Does indoor cannabis cultivation have to come with environmental drawbacks? Not anymore. One company has found a way to minimize its emissions AND cut costs in half - all with the power of the sun. Here to tell us about it is Edward Dow of Solar Therapeutics, the first energy-independent dispensary in the world. Learn more at https://solarthera.com Key Takeaways: [2:17] An inside look at Solar Therapeutics, the world’s first energy-independent cannabis cultivation and retail facility based in Somerset, MA [2:57] Ed’s background in engineering and what led him to become CEO of Solar Therapeutics [5:55] Solar’s unique indoor cultivation facility, including its extensive solar arrays and centralized heating and cooling systems [8:32] How Solar implemented its own microgrid to create a 100% self-sufficient, energy-independent facility [10:40] How Ed was able to bootstrap what’s now a multi-million dollar operation entirely from private investors [15:25] Solar’s collaboration with Fluence to earn over $1 million in energy efficiency rebates [17:30] The advantages of broad-spectrum LEDs for energy costs and crop yields [19:56] How Solar significantly offsets its costs through its heating and cooling systems [22:36] Solar’s energy costs versus other similar vertically-integrated dispensaries [25:15] The cannabis industry’s growing carbon footprint and what it will take for companies to implement more sustainable practices [28:21] The best-selling products in Massachusetts and new trends to look out for [30:12] Solar Therapeutics’ goals to become a multi-state operator, from Rhode Island to New York and beyond