From Shadows to Yields: How Under Canopy Lights Are Changing Cannabis Cultivation

With the constant evolution of cultivation technology, it feels like a new product hits the market every season. While some turn out to be gimmicks, every now and then, something truly game-changing emerges. Enter under canopy lights—making a strong entrance and showing no signs of going anywhere. But what’s behind the hype? Let’s take a closer look.
Hitting a Wall—Literally

The cannabis industry has come a long way—from a hush-hush operation to a legitimate market where cultivators can now qualify for energy rebates and incentives by switching to LED lighting in support of sustainable practices. (Check if you qualify through Esttech’s Complimentary Rebate Qualification Check [click here].)
The industry is, quite literally, blooming—but growth comes with its own set of challenges. Many cultivators are hitting physical and regulatory limits. Whether it’s due to the constraints of their cultivation license or simply maxed-out facility space, expanding outward is no longer an option. The need to increase yield remains urgent—yet without the ability to knock down walls, growers must look inward. Enter human ingenuity—and with it, the rise of under canopy lighting as a potential breakthrough.

How Under Canopy Lights Work

Just as the name suggests, under canopy lights are installed beneath the plant canopy and act as a strategic supplement to your primary lighting setup. Top-tier fixtures like Esttech’s Halo Lights—renowned for their patented lensed technology and exceptional canopy penetration—already provide robust coverage for most grow environments. However, in dense canopies or vertical grows, even the best overhead lights may not fully reach the shaded lower zones.

That’s where under canopy lights come in. By delivering targeted illumination to the lower third of the plant, they help boost bud development and density in areas that would otherwise be underlit. The result is a more balanced plant structure and increased harvest weight—without sacrificing quality or changing your layout.

Choosing the Right Under Canopy Lights

Since the under canopy lighting boom in 2024, LED companies across the industry have rushed to meet the high demand for this game-changing cultivation tool. While the concept of illuminating lower growth zones has been explored for years, not all products on the market are created equal.

Esttech Inc. chose a different path. Known for prioritizing innovation and quality over quick releases, the company spent over a year in research and development before launching its own under canopy solution—the 100i Pro Series, which entered presale in April 2024.

What sets Esttech’s under canopy light apart is the meticulous attention to detail. Naturally, it checks all the essential boxes: daisy chaining up to 12 bars, waterproof housing for easy cleaning, and full DLC Certification for energy rebate eligibility. But it goes far beyond the basics.

As the original patent-holder for lensed LED technology, Esttech engineered a brand-new lens specifically for under canopy applications. Unlike top lighting, under canopy lighting requires a wider dispersion to effectively reach around dense lower foliage. This custom lens was designed to do just that.

The 100i Pro Series also features Esttech’s signature warm white LED spectrum, a distinct shift from the standard cool-toned LEDs found in most products—one that cultivators have found their plants respond to beautifully.

For this model, Esttech introduced a unique Peek Sun spectrum, a bright, white-toned light designed to simulate full midday sun conditions.

To further enhance flowering, a Deep Red spectrum is included—supporting stronger bud development and overall yield.
With smart design, proprietary lensing, and a spectrum tailored for true plant performance, Esttech’s under canopy lights are more than just another product—they’re the next evolution in precision cultivation.

Important Considerations Before Adding Under Canopy Lights

Cannabis cultivation is rooted in passion, tradition, and a deep respect for the plant. But let’s be honest—who wouldn’t be excited about a bigger, better harvest? That said, before retrofitting your facility with under canopy lighting, it’s essential to ensure your environment is ready for the upgrade.

These lights are part of an advanced cultivation strategy, and with increased light exposure comes increased growth. If the rest of your grow operation isn’t already dialed in, under canopy lights could amplify existing inefficiencies.

Expect larger, fuller plants—which means your watering cycles may need to be adjusted to meet the plant’s increased demand. Facilities should also be ready to keep up with plant care, whether that means boosting nutrients, increasing defoliation, or fine-tuning other aspects of your grow.

In short, under canopy lighting can elevate your yields—but only if your facility is prepared to support the boost in growth.

Tried and True: Esttech Under Canopy Lights

Esttech is proud to be a company that believes in waiting until a product is truly tried and tested before bringing it to market—think Apple, but for LED lighting.
While some cultivators may be hesitant to adopt a newly launched product, that’s exactly why Esttech spent months testing the 100i Pro Series under canopy lights in real-world environments before release. The goal: deliver results, not hype.

One of the early testers, David Todd of Terra Australis in Dallas, Oregon—also a cultivation consultant for Doghouse Cannabis—runs Esttech LED lighting throughout his entire grow. With his science-first mindset, he was the perfect candidate to benchmark performance. After trying under canopy lights from multiple brands, David noted that “the car goes faster” with Esttech’s lights. In The Highlight Series—Esttech’s original documentary celebrating cultivators—he also shared that not only did yields and flower quality improve, but the plants also became noticeably more resin-rich, a phenomenon he’s eager to explore further.

On the other end of the spectrum, Moab Farms in Oklahoma was newer to the Esttech ecosystem. Their head grower, Alex, offered a fresh perspective: “The lights are really cool—I like them. Setup was easy, nothing too complicated. They worked with the controller we had already, simple enough I’d say.” Moab runs the ProMaster Control System, and found integration with Esttech’s under canopy lights to be smooth and straightforward.

Whether your facility is already outfitted with Esttech’s top-tier LED systems or you’re working with other setups, the 100i Pro Series offers a seamless and effective way to level up your harvest from the bottom up. And while growers like David show the advantage of a full Esttech system, even new users like Moab are seeing clear results—proof that this technology is built to perform across the board.

With proven results, easy integration, and real grower success stories, Esttech is excited to bring the 100i Pro Series to market. Pre-sales are in high demand, so now’s the time to reserve your place in the next evolution of cultivation.

Take the Next Step

Under canopy lighting isn’t just another trend—it’s one of the most impactful innovations to hit cannabis cultivation in recent years. For growers facing space constraints or facility limits, under canopy lights offer a powerful way to scale up without breaking down walls. By unlocking the potential of the lower canopy, cultivators can boost both yield and quality—all within the footprint they already have.

Of course, not all under canopy lights are created equal. That’s why growers who want reliable performance and long-term value are turning to Esttech’s 100i Pro Series. Built on a legacy of patented lens innovation and real-world testing, these lights were designed with cultivators in mind—from spectrum to set up.
Better yet, you may even qualify for energy rebates that offset your upgrade costs. Esttech offers a Complimentary Rebate Qualification Check to help growers take advantage of available

programs, and our customer service team is here to support you every step of the way—from choosing the right lights, to integration, to securing those rebates.
At Esttech, we believe cultivation is more than just science—it’s a culture rooted in care, passion, and progress. We’re proud to be a part of your journey, and excited to help growers of all sizes grow smarter, not just bigger.

Let’s light up the future—together.

Photos credit: Know-Madik, Moab Farms – Alex.

Important Links:

Rebate Form: https://forms.gle/Rra5amJA46oY9XDP9
Website: www.esttech.com
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