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Roelands Plant Farms Selects Sollum Technologies for a 12-Acre Expansion in Vine Crop Propagation

William Attardi on February 17, 2026

Sollum Technologies is pleased to share that Roelands Plant Farms, one of the largest and most trusted propagators in Ontario, has selected Sollum’s advanced dynamic LED lighting solution for a 12-acre expansion at its Lambton Shores facility. The company specializes in the high-performance propagation of vine crops, including tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Together, they observed plant responses, adjusted strategies and ensured that the lighting aligned with the day-to-day challenges of propagation by responding to changing conditions, and by adjusting the spectrum, intensity, timing and daily light integral (DLI) with unmatched precision and in real time. The results confirmed that lighting plays a decisive role in establishing strong healthy plants prior to transplanting, and that Sollum’s advanced dynamic control supports uniformity, vigor and predictable growth conditions across trays. [News] Roelands Plant Farms Selects Sollum Technologies for a 12-Acre Expansion in Vine Crop Propagation – LEDinside

AI Analytics Step In as Energy Standards Tighten and Resources Shrink by Laurie Gilmer

William Attardi on February 17, 2026

Meeting energy and emissions reduction targets, particularly as they become more stringent, can be tough for many facilities. Between the need to operate efficiently, emerging BEPS requirements and balancing limited resources, facilities teams need help identifying where improvements can be made. Enter AI analytic tools, which can analyze building automation data, energy use patterns and even weather data to identify operational inefficiencies, make recommendations for optimizing setpoints and start-up times and identify inconsistencies in performance data. This leads to efficient overall system operations. Advances in AI for facilities……have become part of the toolkit that helps managers meet their goals of having efficient, safety and compliant facilities that meet the needs of the people who occupy them. AI Analytics Step In as Energy Standards Tighten and Resources Shrink – Facilities Management Insights

ABC: Nonresidential Construction Adds Solid 27,900 Jobs in January

William Attardi on February 12, 2026

The construction industry added 33,000 jobs on net in January, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has grown by 44,000 jobs, an increase of 0.5%. Nonresidential construction employment expanded by 27,900 positions, with gains in 2 of the 3 subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade added 25,100 jobs, while nonresidential building added 3,600 new positions. Heavy and civil engineering lost 800 jobs in January. The construction unemployment rate was 6.9% in January. Unemployment across all industries decreased to 4.3% and is 0.3 percentage points higher than one year ago. ABC: Nonresidential Construction Adds Solid 27,900 Jobs in January

LEDucation Trade Show and Conference | April 14–15, 2026 New York City

William Attardi on February 12, 2026

LEDucation is the industry’s leading marketplace and educational platform dedicated to advancing architectural lighting innovation. The event features 400+ exhibitors across four halls showcasing the latest lighting products and technologies from leading manufacturers. Thirty-nine presentations explore key issues shaping today’s lighting industry and its path to a brighter, more efficient future. LEDucation – Presented by the Designers Lighting Forum of New York

Dallas Market Center Announces Major Expansion

William Attardi on February 12, 2026

Dallas Market Center announced a dramatic expansion of the number of Design showrooms located inside its Interior Home + Design Center (IHDC). More than 100 brands, represented inside multiple showrooms, will move into custom spaces on the first and second floors of the building in the first half of 2026. This is the largest project for the development of new showrooms inside Dallas Market Center in more than a decade. Upcoming trade events at Dallas Market Center include Design Days, April 14-15; Total Home & Gift Market, June 24-30; Lightovation, June 24-27; and Design + Build Day at Lightovation, June 23. Dallas Market Center Announces Major Expansion – tEDmag

Space-Based Solar Power Promises Constant Energy Delivery

William Attardi on February 12, 2026

Space-based solar power is transitioning from concept to reality, with recent advancements demonstrating the feasibility of transmitting solar energy from orbit to Earth. This technology, which could provide continuous, reliable electricity that isn’t interrupted by weather or geography, is being developed through initiatives such as Japan’s OHISAMA project and Caltech’s Space Solar Power Project. However, the implementation of space-based solar power will require international coordination on orbits, frequencies and safety protocols. The Washington Post

BriteSwitch: Commercial Lighting Rebate Trends for 2026

William Attardi on February 12, 2026

Electricity costs continue to climb, and commercial customers are once again taking a closer look at energy efficiency. In 2025 alone, average commercial electricity rates increased by roughly 7%, with some regions seeing increases as high as 29%. As operating costs rise, lighting rebates remain one of the most effective tools for improving project economics. So what does the commercial lighting rebate landscape actually look like in 2026, and what’s different this year? Most programs are still available this year, incentive amounts are up, and rebate structures are continuing to evolve. The following trends are shaping the commercial lighting rebate landscape in 2026.

Commercial Lighting Rebate Trends for 2026

Landscape Forms Announces Urbidermis’ Redesigned Candela Outdoor Lighting

William Attardi on February 12, 2026

Building on the original 2009 design, this lighting option is now more flexible and lighter weight. Landscape Formshas released Candela, redesigned by urbidermis. This evolution of Gonzalo Milà’s 2009 design now features enhanced performance and adaptability, with high pressure cast aluminum housing that provides a lighter weight construction and anodized finishes and stainless steel hardware that can withstand demanding environmental conditions. A new steel and aluminum pole option adds structural flexibility, while an optional house-side shield minimizes backlight. Outdoor Site Furnishings and Lighting for… – Landscape Forms

Exclusive: Baird Research Examines Concern In Key Markets

William Attardi on February 12, 2026

In tEDmagazine’s latest exclusive, quarterly Baird Research, we asked distributors a clear question: “How concerned are you about your company’s outlook in the following markets: Residential and Commercial?” While the results varied, the level of “very concerned” remained low. The research was conducted during the first two weeks of January 2026. Exclusive: Baird Research Examines Concern In Key Markets – tEDmag

Telling Time – 12-hour time is a very ancient system that traces back to the Mesopotamian empires. They had a cultural fixation with the number 12, used a base-12 numerical system, and divided up most things into 12ths whenever possible – including day and night. The 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night system spread throughout Europe and the Middle East and has defied multiple attempts to change it over the centuries. Also, for anyone curious as to why there was such a love of the number 12, it was because that was how they counted on their hand. Look at your hand. Notice how each of your fingers minus your thumb has three easily identifiable parts to it. They used to count by using their thumb to count each part of the finger, much in the same way we count to 10 using our fingers today. So, 12 was the max you could count on one hand.