45%

Higher Yield

Indoor growing units with Agrify’s LEDs have 45% higher yield than conventional HPS lights

82%

CAGR

in revenue growth, 2019 - 2020

386

Vertical Farming Units

deployed since Agrify’s founding and 1,140 units in the backlog

View Our Analysis

The Path to Drawdown: LEDs

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were originally invented in 1994 as high-brightness, high-efficiency light bulbs. LEDs work like solar panels in reverse: they convert electrons to photons instead of the other way around. For the same amount of light, LEDs use 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and half as much as compact fluorescents. While other lighting technologies convert energy into heat (and most of it wasted), LEDs turn 80% of their energy use into light.

LED lighting has many environmental advantages. Its efficiency in converting energy into light, rather than heat, helps reduce electricity consumption and air-conditioning loads. For people without access to ample energy, LEDs can be powered with small solar cells and can replace expensive kerosene lamps and their noxious fumes and emissions. Where LEDs are used in street lights, they can save up to 70% of energy and substantially reduce maintenance costs.

Project Drawdown projects that if LED lighting becomes widely used in the residential and commercial lighting market, it can help avoid between 10.2 - 10.8 gigatons of CO2 emissions in residences, and between 5.9 - 6.7 gigatons in commercial buildings. To achieve this, the global market share of LEDs will have to scale rapidly:

  • <::marker> In 2018, LEDs comprised 3% of the global commercial lighting market and 2% of the residential lighting market
  • <::marker> By 2050, LEDs should account for 95% and 90% of the residential and commercial markets, respectively
  • <::marker> That’s 12.82% CAGR for residential LED, and 11.21% CAGR for commercial LED lighting between 2018 - 2050.

What We Want to See Improve

Report GHG Emissions

As a young company, Agrify doesn’t yet report any sustainability information. Because their operations are small and they outsource (p. 27) their manufacturing to third party contract manufacturers, we don’t think their direct GHG emissions are high. But we would like to see this confirmed through accurate tracking and reporting of their emissions in an annual sustainability report.

Set Science-Based Emissions Reduction Targets

Once they start reporting key sustainability metrics, we then urge Agrify to set clear, science-based targets for reducing emissions to be in line with the goal of staying below 1.5°C of global warming.

Diversify Customer Base

Agrify reported (p. 32) that three customers accounted for 79.2% of their total revenue in 2020, and two customers accounted for about 99% of total revenue in 2019. As they’re aware, this places Agrify in a precarious position in the event of disruption in demand from these major customers.

Related LED Lights Stocks in the Climate Index

View All Climate Index Stocks →

Allocated Company Description

5.00%

Applied Materials (AMAT)

Applied Materials supplies equipment, services and software for LED manufacturing. LEDs help conserve energy and cut emissions

0.56%

Universal Display (OLED)

Universal Display makes organic LEDs, replacing fluorescent and incandescent lighting and improving building energy efficiency

0.47%

Acuity Brands (AYI)

Acuity makes LEDs, smart lighting and building technology solutions that can improve energy efficiency and emissions from buildings

0.40%

Power Integrations, Inc. (POWI)

POWI makes energy-efficiency products like AC-DC power converters and LED drivers. These solutions help buildings conserve energy and cut emissions

0.28%

Diodes Incorporated (DIOD)

Diodes makes a range of semiconductor products for LCD display, LED monitors and lighting. LED lighting is a key solution for cutting building emissions

0.07%

Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO)

Veeco makes equipment and processing systems used in making high-tech LEDs. Energy-efficient LEDs help buildings cut energy use and emissions

0.05%

Magnachip Semiconductor Corp. (MX)

Magnachip Semiconductor derives its revenue in part from the promotion of LEDs and solar PVs, through the sale of LED products and products used with solar PVs. It creates no products specifically for the fossil fuel industry.

0.02%

Agrify Corporation (AGFY)

Agrify provides LED lighting and other products for high-yield indoor agriculture. Efficient LEDs are an energy-saving alternative to conventional lights

0.02%

Amtech Systems, Inc. (ASYS)

Amtech Systems makes semiconductor equipment for LED and power device applications. LED lighting helps buildings cut emissions

0.02%

AXT, Inc. (AXTI)

AXT sells semiconductor substrates used in LEDs, thermal imaging, and autonomous vehicles. It makes no products specifically for the fossil fuel industry, thus passing our revenue filter.

0.02%

Energy Focus (EFOI)

Energy Focus makes LEDs for the Navy, federal, state and local governments, and big organizations, helping them save energy and cut building emissions

0.02%

Highway Holdings Limited (HIHO)

HIHO makes electronic components, some of which are used in making LEDs. LEDs are energy-efficient lighting that can cut emissions from buildings

0.02%

SemiLEDs Corporation (LEDS)

SemiLEDs makes LED components for lighting and other applications. LEDs are an energy-efficient lighting alternative that can cut building emissions

0.02%

LSI Industries Inc. (LYTS)

LSI Industries makes LEDs for automotive, restaurant, retail and grocery store customers. Energy-efficient LEDs help buildings cut emissions

0.02%

Orion Energy Systems, Inc (OESX)

Orion offers LED lighting and custom-made energy management systems for big organizations - a solution that cuts energy use and emissions from buildings

0.02%

O2Micro International Limited (OIIM)

O2Micro International makes LED products and lighting. LEDs are an energy-efficient lighting alternative that can cut emissions

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