Infrared lamps to protect vineyards from frost
Infrared lamps are a device allowing to warm the plant directly without needing to warm the air. The company Frolight has developed a protection system in the form of cords emitting infrared light, allowing to maintain the buds at a given temperature.
Little sensitive to wind, this type of device must first be installed using tying clips and biodegradable tapes that are easy to remove once the critical season has passed. It will cost 4 euros per meter of tape in total. In terms of operation, the power supply is provided by a generator. The purchase of such equipment costs about 35,000 euros for the protection of one hectare, but weekly rental is possible.
The autonomous lamp developed by Wine Protect uses solar panels rather than a generator. It is then possible to set a temperature beyond which the device turns on (costing about €30,000 per hectare).[1]
