Light Science Technologies (LST) encourages glasshouse growers to switch from high-pressure sodium (HPS) lighting to LED lighting to save energy costs and improve the environment. But what are the benefits of replacing HPS lighting with LED Grow Lights?
LED lights are a more energy-efficient source of light compared to HPS lights. As a result, they use less power and have a longer lifespan, which translates to fewer replacements and reduced maintenance costs for growers. Additionally, HPS grow lights only convert 30% of energy into usable light, while LED-produced lights convert around 50%.
Craig Price, Operations Director of LST, said: “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), the equivalent energy requirement could be as low as 360W, effectively offering up to a 40% energy saving compared to traditional HPS lamps. In addition, the ongoing maintenance is almost halved when you reach the life of an LED product versus a typical HPS product. When energy use increases as we head into the shoulder season, making the switch or upgrade now is a wise move.”
The switch to LED lighting has been shown to potentially save 10-25% of total greenhouse energy demand, making it a more cost-effective solution for growers. LED grow lights are also better for the environment, as they can be safely managed and disposed of compared to HPS lights.
LST’s Operations Director says that the switch to LED lighting can offer growers up to 40% energy savings, making it a no-brainer for those looking to reduce costs while also being mindful of the environment. In support of this effort, LST has decided not to increase pricing for lighting products in the first quarter, allowing growers to make the switch without having to incur additional costs.
“However, it’s not just about choosing the right lighting to be more cost and energy efficient. A poor understanding and application of any lighting solution can erode anticipated savings. Therefore what’s also important is for growers to work with an LED grow light partner that understands every variable and can help them to design a sustainable solution to custom-fit their unique growing parameters to help achieve the best possible results while reducing both CAPEX and OPEX costs.” Craig continues on the benefits of replacing HPS lighting.
Image provided by Light Science Technologies (LST)
