December 30, 2021
Cultivating crops under artificial lighting in closed and fully controlled environments is a method with growing benefits and global impact.
Industrial indoor agriculture could become the main factor keeping famine and related conflicts at bay. With rising populations, declining agricultural land, pollution, global warming and migration, it will become even more important in the future to grow crops in a reliable, predictable and efficient manner.
A key factor in the success of indoor plant growth is the efficiency of the lighting system in inducing plant growth when compared to sunlight.
To build a very efficient lighting system, some basic scientific concepts should be known
Plants grow through a process called photosynthesis, which converts electromagnetic radiation — light — into chemical energy needed for growth and development. The other ingredients needed are carbon dioxide (CO2), nutrients and water. The process itself is not particularly efficient, converting only 4 to 6 percent of absorbed radiation into chemical energy, but this is the engine that powers most life on the planet.
When it comes to PPFD and coverage, LED grow light’s can stand against some of the strongest HID’s around. Moreover, they’ll give you the same intensity and coverage- if not more- while using less energy and giving off much less heat.
And reason LED’s are able to do so is simple: electricity.
HID bulbs rely on the heating and chemical reaction of metals and chemicals in order to give off light. Those bulbs have a limited PPFD output due to the amount and size of the chemicals inside. And those bulbs take a certain amount of energy to make that reaction happen. Moreover, it’s the heating of those chemicals that gives us light, and a byproduct of that light is heat.
But in LED’s energy is used to illuminate a certain number of diodes electronically, and those diodes take a very minimal amount of energy to run. As we’ve mentioned, it’s all of those low wattage diodes shining together that give you the light you need to grow.
Take a 400w HPS grow light that gives off a max PPFD of 534 from one bulb.
Compare that to a 240w LED with over 700 diodes with a max PPFD of 648.
The LED uses 160w’s less than the HID yet gives off 166 PPFD less.
And the great this is that in a sense, there’s no limit to how powerful an LED can be. With more diodes you can increase intensity, and only raise energy cost minimally. Compare that to HID’s where you’ll have to increase energy costs by 50–100% and still lose intensity.
Optic Slim 720S Dimmable LED Grow Light
Features:
This Optic LED Grow Light is the Most Powerful Triple Dimmer LED Grow Light Ever Created. Slim 720S delivers all the amazing Proven technology from the highly refined Slim 650S with a Cranked up Meanwell Driver System beaming up to 720 Watts through 3,096 of the world’s most efficient LEDs. Slim 720S is specifically engineered for growers in 5x5 areas or growers who just want power to spare in the 4' x4' area. Slim720S is engineered to give you performance far beyond what any other LED Grow Light company has in the market today including Samsung’s all-new record-breaking LH351H Version 2 660nm Deep Red LEDs at 3.75 umols/j and LH351H 450nm Royal Blue LEDs paired with the Samsung White LM301H LEDs which are above 3.0 umols/J with a 3way dimmable system running 3,096 LEDs total for next-generation efficiency and tuning capabilities.
Lex Grow 720W Commercial LED Grow Light
Features:
The LEX Grow LED grow light seeks to replace any DE 1000W HPS around while also offering a high-intensity full spectrum fixture. Using a limited 720 watts, this LED grow light is the ideal solution for growers looking to cover larger areas while having less consumption. This fixture provides the same sun-like output that plants desire without high energy requirements and high heat output. This LED grow light uses only 720 watts and is ideal for growers looking to cover larger areas while consuming a minimal amount of energy. The Lex Grow 720 covers a 5' x 5' flower footprint and a 7' x 7 ‘ veg footprint. Lex Grow offers a 5-year warranty with this fixture. The light has a 50,000-hour life rating and is ETL listed. Let the act of changing light bulbs be a distant memory.
To help you choose from the wide variety of shapes, sizes, wattages, prices, and more. that can be found on the Internet, let’s see what are the really important criteria to take into account before buying.
Conclusion
LED lighting can be complicated, but it isn’t impossible. You simply need to learn a little about your options and choose the best lighting for your situation. Even if you get it wrong, you’re likely to end up with something.
As long as you don’t burn your plants.
Which grow lights have you used on your plants? Please share your experience or leave questions in the comments.
October 20, 2023