The cannabis industry in the US is exploding. A 2024 projection found that the industry is expected to reach a whopping $40 billion in the US alone. Similarly, almost 80% of Americans are now living in a county with at least one dispensary and over 50% of Americans have tried cannabis for either recreational and medicinal purposes. This increased demand for cannabis has opened the door for farmers and growers across America to start harvesting this booming cash crop. At Sun Farmer’s Group, we help farmers and business owners create a more sustainable, profitable future by installing solar energy. In this article, we will discuss the basics of what a cannabis farm is and how solar energy is playing a role in its success.
How A Cannabis Farm is Defined
A cannabis farm is a farm that is specifically reserved for growing and harvesting cannabis or “marijuana” plants. These farms can vary in size from small-scale, boutique and specialty growing operations to large operations that are churning out massive quantities for national dispensary brands. These farms supply raw cannabis crops to dispensaries, third-party vendors, or sell direct to consumers. The plants are packaged and sold for either medical or recreational purposes, depending on the state and the local laws regarding cannabis.
What Are The Types of Cannabis Farms?
Not all cannabis farms are created equal. In fact, some cannabis farming operations are drastically different from the next one and might not look like the traditional farm you had in mind. That’s because there is more than one way to grow cannabis. It all depends on the farmer, the land available, size of the operation, budget, and personal preference. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of cannabis farms and how they differ from each other.
Outdoor Farm: This is probably the most intuitive way to grow cannabis. As the name suggests, outdoor farms are simply operations that grow cannabis in an open field under the sun and stars. As long as you have land, this can be one of the more affordable methods of farming cannabis. The catch is that you must have favorable environmental conditions to grow quality plants. This usually includes a hot environment with not too much humidity and an even nighttime and daytime cycle at 12 hours each. The reason for this is that, to grow quality cannabis, the plant requires a certain amount of darkness for the flowering process to happen.
Indoor Farm: The best way to grow cannabis is indoors. These indoor farms are typically housed within large warehouses or buildings. They require a significant investment in equipment, including special lightning, dehumidifying gear, and hydroponics for growing. These farms also require an immense amount of electricity to operate since all of the equipment is running off power. (We’ll talk more later in the article about how to get those costs down.) The reason indoor operations are the preferred method by serious growers is because farmers have complete control of environmental factors, meaning they can fine tune the perfect conditions for a high-quality product.
Greenhouse Farm: The third option that might be less common is a greenhouse farm. This takes a hybrid approach to farming cannabis, using elements of both indoor and outdoor farming. The benefit to the greenhouse farm is that farmers get the benefits of natural sunlight with the enhanced environmental control of an indoor operation. For farmers who have limited space and budget, a greenhouse farm can provide the best of both worlds when considering both energy costs and quality of the plants. This is also a more sustainable solution than pure indoor growing.
How Solar Energy is Changing Cannabis Farming
The cannabis industry and farming are showing no signs of slowing down. As more and more farmers get involved to meet this growing demand, there has been an increased appetite for lowering operations costs to increase profits. Installing solar energy on a cannabis farm is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep costs down and prioritize sustainability in both indoor and outdoor operations. Below are a few ways solar energy is changing the game for cannabis farmers.
- Reduced electricity costs. One of the biggest bills in the mail for cannabis farmers is their monthly statement from the power companies. Solar energy can completely reduce farmers’ reliance on traditional energy. This means that cannabis farmers can reinvest the savings into their farm or enjoy better profit margins for themselves and their families.
- Enhanced sustainability. The strain on the environment from cannabis farming can be a significant deterrent for up and coming growers. Running your operation off of solar energy can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint and make your entire farm more sustainable and less reliant on non-renewable resources.
- Sustainable marketing opportunities. Being able to say that your cannabis was grown sustainably through solar energy is a major win for your profit margins. Sustainably-sourced products can be sold for premium prices as eco-conscious consumers demand more earth-friendly options in everything they purchase.
Final Thoughts on Cannabis Farms & Sustainable Solar Energy
Cannabis farms are among the fastest growing types of farming in the United States. As the laws surrounding the consumption of marijuana continue to change and the demand rises, cannabis farming will become more and more prevalent throughout the agricultural world. Like any other farming business, cannabis can be an expensive operation. Finding ways to incorporate sustainable solutions like solar energy early on can help minimize financial stress and the impact your farm has on the earth, putting more green in your pocket and keeping the planet happy.
How Sun Farmer’s Group Can Help
Sun Farmer’s Group is the first true turnkey solution for agricultural solar energy. Our proprietary program has brought all of the in-house expertise to the table in grant writing, financing, tax credit monetization, installation, and so much more. Unlike other companies, Sun Farmer’s Group empowers farmers with a no-money down solution that greatly reduces and eventually eliminates your power bill altogether. The future is as bright as the sun, and we’ll help you turn it into power!
Get in Touch
If you’re ready to learn more about how Sun Farmer’s Group can help you put more money in your pocket, call 877-417-3222 today!
Disclaimer: This article should not be used as legal advice. You are responsible for knowing the laws surrounding cannabis growing and distribution in your state. Sun Farmer’s Group assumes no responsibility for anyone attempting to engage in any illicit activity.
