[zdragnar]

Where I live, people already struggle with eliminating excess moisture from their basements. Putting growing plants there requires a significant upgrade to air ventilation and dehumidification, as it is the perfect breeding ground for mold.

As for LED grow lights, you typically use about 30-40 watts / square foot. That's a not insignificant added cost compared to growing above ground.

The added challenges to growing underground simply make it irrational.

[jaegerpicker]

Yeah, I'd agree with the underground part. Above ground vertical greenhouse's are absolutely viable but I'm not sure underground would make any sense. LED grow lights I'm using on Tower or aeroponics (Plants grown in towers with a gravy mist based irrigation and feeding) are much less than 30-40 watts / square foot, around 10-20 depending on the time of year but that's above ground in a greenhouse situation with Sun light help.