For the past year, the Lettuce Lads have been developing patented technology that promises growth rates in excess of 200 per cent of traditional hydroponics and greenhouse techniques, while requiring significantly less electricity, water and labour.
“What we’re trying to prove here is that we can grow more for less,” said Lettuce Lads co-founder Caleb Allen.
Currently in the demonstration stage, leafy greens are grown in a multi-tiered belted system where optimal amounts of light and water are provided to the plants.
Allen and head engineer Kyle West brainstormed ideas centered around making hydroponic operations more profitable for growers.
“Most hydroponic operations aren’t profitable because they have very high utility costs, high labour costs and that results from a low density setup,” said Allen.
"Our system can grow 246 per cent more grams per square foot than our competition,” he said.
The Lettuce Lads also said they are able to get 518 per cent more grams per kilowatt hour of power used than other systems.
The end goal they say is that they can drive down the cost of production for growers, resulting in savings for consumers as well.