1. Media Contact:
Amanda Roraff
Director, Marketing & Communications
313.377.6600
amandar@nextenergy.org
Light-Speed USA wins NextEnergy lighting challenge for RecoveryPark
Team solution will optimize green house plant yield through advanced technologies
Detroit, August 19, 2015 – NextEnergy and RecoveryPark today announced Light-Speed USA as the
winner of NextChallenge: Lighting, a lighting technology competition. Light-Speed USA , (Grand Rapids,
MI 616-308-0054) was awarded $80,000 in cash and in-kind services to support the development and
demonstration of a next generation greenhouse lighting technology system for RecoveryPark.
“NextEnergy developed NextChallenge: Lighting to source ideas to drive technology innovation and
economic development but this challenge has actually resulted in so much more,” said Jean Redfield,
president and CEO of NextEnergy. “The Light-Speed approach is unique because multiple organizations
teamed up for a great solution. We’re proud that our lighting challenge is leading to new partnerships and
innovative technology solutions that will spur industry growth.”
The Light-Speed USA technology solution combines specialties of three Michigan entities AMF Nano’s specialty
control sensor system, Dow Corning Designed—LumenFlow advanced optical engineering technologies, and
Nextek Power Systems’ direct current (DC) distribution system for a cost-effective, modular, energy efficient
system. Light-Speed has incorporates its proprietary, reconfigurable lighting system that optimizes plant
growth and adapts to various environmental conditions throughout the year in greenhouses which will be
used by RecoveryPark Farms in Detroit. In addition to the 3 partners in the proposal Light-Speed USA has
been able to collaborate with firms such as Smart Vision Lights, www.smartvisionlights.com for design and
manufacturing support.
“There is huge restaurant demand for local produce grown-to-order,” said Gary Wozniak, president and CEO
of RecoveryPark. “The challenge was to figure out the best way to mimic Mother Nature by creating an
affordable solution to replicate the amount of natural sunlight produced during the peak growing season so
we can support the demand for the best produce year-round.”
Research has shown that plant species respond to wavelengths along the light spectrum differently
throughout their growth cycle. Light-Speed USA lighting solution will allow for precise tuning of LED lights to
the preferred spectrum settings by species and growth stages of plants grown at RecoveryPark Farms. Light-
Speed will custom design lights per plant species to optimize plant sizes and yield as well as increase
harvesting cycles and improve plant quality in color, taste and nutrients. LumenFlow works closely with
Light-Speed on insuring all the light uniformly reaches the plant canopy.
AMF Nano will adapt its nano sensor technology to sense humidity, water flow, temperature, fertilization
levels and photosynthesis levels. The sensors will provide real-time data to the LED lights directing them to
provide light only when it is needed, ensuring plant health and growth optimization.

2. Nextek Power Systems, a pioneer in energy efficient DC power distribution and energy management for
buildings, will implement their DC distribution systems for RecoveryPark greenhouse operations.

3. Nextek’s system will increase the profitability of RecoveryPark Farms by taking full advantage of the
LEDs and advanced power distribution to keep the greenhouses as affordable and energy efficient as
possible.
While each piece of the Light-Speed USA solution are proven individually, the integration of
the technologies and collaborated concept needs to be developed.
“Light-Speed USA is designing and engineering this new greenhouse lighting system and we’ll be working
to help RecoveryPark demonstrate and validate it in a real world setting,” said Jean Redfield, president
and CEO of NextEnergy. “The timeline is not yet finalized, but we’re hoping to start the demonstrations
as early as September.”
Demonstrations of the new technology are planned to be deployed, benchmarked and evaluated at
Recovery Park Farms’ urban farming operations in Detroit.
About RecoveryPark:
RecoveryPark is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Established in 2010, its mission is to
create jobs for individuals with barriers to employment. RecoveryPark coordinates three years of
personal and workforce-development support services by connecting employees with partner
organizations throughout the city to ensure they have access to adequate housing, life and job coaches,
educational opportunities, and mental and physical health services. For more information,
Visit recoverypark.org.
About RecoveryPark Farms
RecoveryPark Farms is a social enterprise growing local specialty produce for Metro Detroit restaurants.
RecoveryPark launched RecoveryPark Farms to create full-time sustainable employment opportunities,
with benefits and wrap-around support services, for individuals facing barriers to employment. Recovery
Park Farms currently provides specialty produce to 12 metro Detroit restaurants. For more information,
visit recoveryparkfarms.com.
About NextEnergy:
Founded in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, NextEnergy is one of the nation’s leading
accelerators of advanced energy technologies, businesses and industries. NextEnergy drives technology
demonstration and commercialization; delivers industry and venture development services; and
provides an authoritative voice in the public sector. Since its inception, NextEnergy has helped attract
more than $1.4 billion of new investment in the state of Michigan, including programs in excess of $160
million in which NextEnergy has directly participated. For more information, visit nextenergy.org.
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