NL
ELIXIA C5
Aquarium Plants
Case study – Tropica
Tropica Achieves 32% Energy Savings
“We could see a big potential in Heliospectra’s large variety in different spectrums and its potential to be a match to our needs”
– Kurt Sandvad, Production and Sourcing Director.
Kurt Sandvad,
Production and Sourcing Director
A leading supplier of aquatic plants
Tropica Aquarium Plants, headquartered in Egå near Århus, Denmark, is a renowned provider of high-quality aquarium plants, fertilizers, and accessories. With a diverse selection of over 150 plant varieties, Tropica has grown to become the largest supplier of aquarium plants, delivering daily to retailers across Europe, Asia, and North America. The company produces over 5 million items annually and is committed to shaping a sustainable future for aquascaping. Their mission is to provide a wide, healthy, and vibrant range of aquatic plants.
A need for energy efficiency and cutting costs
Tropica had long been interested in LED lighting innovations. But it wasn’t until the energy crisis in 2022 that the need for change became urgent. Electricity costs were projected to rise from 23 cents to DKK 1 per kWh with HPS lighting, putting significant pressure on their operations. Given their year-round lighting requirements—especially during the peak season from October to March—the need for a more energy-efficient and cost-effective solution became urgent. With an annual consumption of 750,000 kWh for grow lights, the company prioritized switching to LED. After securing investment support, they successfully transitioned from traditional HPS lighting to a full-LED setup.
“You might ask yourself why we haven’t thought about this sooner. I think that we have always used common sense. But sometimes you need an extra push”,
Kurt Sandvad, Production and Sourcing Director.
Customized light strategies per plant with dynamic zoning
By the end of 2022, Tropica had completed the full LED installation across a 1-hectare greenhouse. The transition not only resulted in energy savings, but also introduced advanced lighting control through Heliospectra’s helioCORE system.
This technology enables Tropica to create multiple grow zones with customized light strategies tailored to different plant varieties. For their aquarium plants, red and far-red light are essential for optimal growth. However, these wavelengths can make working conditions challenging for staff. With Heliospectra’s tunable spectrum, they adjusted the light to include more green wavelengths, improving visibility and working conditions while maintaining ideal growth.
“Looking at different producers of LED units, we found out that Heliospectra had the light that we would like. We have a need for a flexible system, because we have 150 different plant varieties, which creates 150 light strategies.”,
Kurt Sandvad, Production and Sourcing Director.
Energy Savings of 32–50%
By using helioCORE’s control features, Tropica now manages 78 individual grow zones, fine-tuning light levels for each variety. There’s also strong potential in future upgrades, such as the DLI (Daily Light Integral) controller, which will enable even more precise light control.
Since switching to Heliospectra, Tropica has achieved energy savings of up to 32%, with some areas reaching as high as 50%.
In addition to energy savings, they’ve seen improvements in plant color, quality, and overall growth. The higher light intensity from LEDs exceeded their expectations, confirming their decision to move to a more sustainable lighting solution.
Want to learn more about MITRA X or request it for your greenhouse? Contact us using the form below or visit our product page here: MITRA X
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