Engineering Efficiency and Savings For Cannabis Cultivators: Defiance Electric

For indoor cannabis cultivators, transitioning from a home-grow to a full-scale facility can be intimidating. But Vermont cannabis entrepreneurs don’t have to handle the technical aspects alone, because Defiance Electric is eager to help.

“Whether it’s mechanical, whether it’s lighting or any other systems, there’s so much involved. And that’s what really gets us excited, because to me, it feels like an industry that I can be so useful to,” owner Travis Boucher said. “And the amount of people who actually truly understand electrical power and electricity, it’s smaller than you would think.”

Since 1978, the New Hampshire company has helped commercial clients implement advancing technology, from precision environment control for data centers to LED lighting systems. In 2021, when Boucher took the helm so his father could retire, the firm began offering electrical engineering for Vermont cannabis businesses.

During this process, Boucher calculates the facility’s expected electrical load to report to the power company, and helps cultivators accurately estimate their annual electricity costs.

After learning about a cultivator’s needs, Defiance Electric visits the site to assess the existing infrastructure. The company then develops a custom engineering plan for installing lighting and other systems, such as temperature control and ventilation. During this process, Boucher calculates the facility’s expected electrical load to report to the power company, and helps cultivators accurately estimate their annual electricity costs.

Boucher said clients commonly struggle to find contractors who will work with cannabis businesses that don’t have detailed specifications ready for their projects. Defiance Electric provides this in-depth planning and works with Vermont electricians who are paid fair union wages.

The company strives to be an industry resource, advising cultivators on everything from what equipment to use to the best way to configure it.

“Whatever you land on, let’s land on it, and we will help take that equipment that you want to put in your growhouse and make it successful, make it work,” sales head Peter Dionne said.

To maximize efficiency, the company recommends tracking data around factors such as how long lights are left on, where fans are positioned and the amount of nutrients being used.

Another challenge growers face is the cost of powering cultivation facilities. Efficiency Vermont has budgeted $1 million in incentives for more efficient lighting and climate control systems. But Boucher believes the best way to cut costs and conserve power is through alternative energy sources, such as solar.

“If it’s sunny out all day, the lights and the mechanical heat pumps could be running on solar power. So that eliminates almost 50% of the day if you have 12 hours of daylight,” Boucher said. “If you include battery storage with that, you then have a legitimate offsetting system.”

To maximize efficiency, the company recommends tracking data around factors such as how long lights are left on, where fans are positioned and the amount of nutrients being used. This allows growers to calculate their yield-per-watt and identify potential adjustments.

Boucher said cannabis businesses should also make plans for back-up power, because plants risk being damaged during unscheduled outages.

“Then you have these hinge points of the different areas and equipment in your grow, where you can start to tweak,” Dionne said. “Maybe one tweak or two tweaks might be what saves you a buttload of money and electricity.”

Boucher said cannabis businesses should also make plans for back-up power, because plants risk being damaged during unscheduled outages. Investing in a generator or back-up solar ensures crops are safe if grid power fails.

With the legal market still developing, cannabis cultivators are expected to have questions. Defiance Electric has the knowledge and experience to find the answers. 

“Anything that touches electricity, please reach out to us,” Boucher said. “We can see it through.”

Visit Defiance Electric to learn more. Thanks to our business partners for supporting this sponsored post!