"We've reduced reliance on physical sensors while achieving a new level of modeling accuracy"

Source.ag has launched Approximated PAR Sum, a data reconstruction feature designed to provide growers with accurate Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) metrics without the need for physical PAR sensors.

High-precision PAR sensors are a major investment and require regular maintenance and manual recalibration. With Source's Approximated PAR Sum, growers can now access a daily total of usable light, measured in mol/m², based on data they already collect. The system draws from solar radiation levels, structural transmission loss, screen positions, and artificial lighting outputs from HPS and LED systems to calculate reliable PAR values.

"Our goal was to turn existing greenhouse data into growing insight," said Leonard Baart de la Faille, Lead R&D Engineer at Source. "With Approximated PAR Sum, we've reduced reliance on physical sensors while achieving a new level of modeling accuracy. We're effectively enriching plant data, so growers can optimize for photosynthesis instead of simply monitoring weather conditions."

© Source.ag

Key innovations
Approximated PAR Sum uses data-driven estimation to reconstruct PAR levels every five minutes. It calculates the combined effects of supplemental lighting, greenhouse glazing, and shade screen positions to create a detailed and continuous picture of light availability inside the greenhouse.

For growers who still use physical PAR sensors, the system also acts as a sensor health diagnostic tool. It cross-checks hardware readings against modeled expectations to identify drift, calibration errors, or potential failures before they affect crop decisions.

The feature integrates directly into Source's existing crop models, strengthening harvest timing predictions and yield forecasting. By improving the accuracy of light data, it supports more precise crop steering and long-term planning.

© Source.ag

Although Approximated PAR Sum is available immediately to all current Source users, its broader significance extends beyond the platform. The technology represents a shift in how greenhouse facilities can access high-quality light insights. Growers looking to modernize no longer need to wait for new hardware installations or commit significant capital expenditure to gain professional-grade PAR data.