InsightsAlphaFarm2026-07-06 · 4 min read
Why AlphaFarm's Low-Power Low-Temperature Dehumidification Matters
Strawberry vertical farming is not just about cooling. The real challenge is managing temperature and humidity together to maintain the right VPD, or Vapor Pressure Deficit, for the crop.
Not just lower humidity — manage VPD
Humidity control is essential in crop production. But simply lowering humidity is not enough. The key is to manage temperature and humidity together to maintain an optimal VPD.
VPD is, in simple terms, the moisture environment a crop feels. Too much humidity invites disease and growth problems, while forcing it too low also stresses the plant. For example, 15°C / 50%RH gives a VPD of roughly 0.9 kPa — a balance point well suited to strawberry growth.
- Temperature (T) + Humidity (RH) = the VPD the crop feels
- 15°C / 50%RH → VPD ≈ 0.9 kPa
- VPD varies with temperature and relative humidity
Strawberries prefer cool conditions
Strawberry quality improves in cooler conditions. For large, sweet, premium fruit with excellent texture, low-temperature dehumidification is especially important.
- Large
- High Brix
- Excellent texture
- Premium quality
The secret to low power: reheat for dehumidification
In conventional dehumidification, reheat uses significant energy after moisture removal. AlphaFarm reduces this load by using sensible heat from the vertical farm's LED lighting for reheat.
Humid air inlet (grow zone) → cooling/dehumidifying coil (moisture removal) → reheat using LED sensible heat → optimized cool, dry air supplied back to the grow zone — a low-power circulation system.
- Humid air inlet (grow zone)
- Cooling / dehumidifying coil (moisture removal)
- Reheat using LED sensible heat
- Optimized cool, dry air re-supplied
Value created by AlphaFarm
AlphaFarm is not simply a cooling system. It is a strawberry-specific climate-control solution designed around low temperature, low humidity, and VPD.
- Precise VPD control — manage temperature and humidity together for optimal growth
- Ideal for cool-climate crops — low-temp, low-humidity conditions maximize strawberry quality
- Better premium strawberry quality — large, sweet, excellent texture
- Lower dehumidification energy — reduce reheat power by using LED sensible heat