As growing energy prices influence indoor farming, Light Science Technologies advises glasshouse producers to switch from HPS illumination to LEDs. Since lights are expected to be turned on during these gloomier months during the shoulder season, crop development may be hampered. According to LST, now is the perfect moment to switch from HPS to LEDs and update any existing LED grow lights to new ones in order to reap the benefits.
HPS vs LEDs
It has been discovered that LED grows lights are far more energy efficient than conventional HPS choices. In comparison to a normal HPS light, which has an 8,000-hour lifespan, the average LED grow light has a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours. Additionally, when you compare the lifespan of an LED product to that of a typical HPS product, the continuing maintenance is virtually cut in half. This is encouraging news for farmers who are thinking about switching as they start to feel the pinch of rising energy costs and living expenses.
Craig Price, Operations Director of LST mentions that: “When you look at the current HPS lighting, a typical 600W product will deliver around 1185umol/s so the switch to LED offers significant energy savings when used correctly. With products achieving up to 3.3umol/j (subject to emission spectrum), then the equivalent energy requirement could be as low as 360W, effectively offering up to a 40% energy saving when compared to the traditional HPS lamps. In addition to this, the ongoing maintenance is almost halved when you compare the life of an LED product versus a typical HPS product. During a time when energy use increases as we head into the shoulder season, making the switch or upgrade now is a wise move. In these unpredictable times, we think it’s important to support companies and farmers. In order to help them, we have decided not to raise the prices of any of our lighting items as we start the new year. As we negotiate these present economic challenges and the ongoing problems with global prices and the supply chain, we will evaluate pricing in March 2023 and continue to provide the best value across all of our lighting products.”
LED grow lights can potentially save 10-25% of total greenhouse energy demand compared to traditional HPS lights. These lights are also far better for the environment in the long term as they can be managed and disposed of safely. A poor understanding and application of any lighting solution can lead to anticipated savings being eroded.
Image provided by Light Science Technologies
