Page 84 - enLIGHTenment Magazine - April 2017

strategies in light rEport

There are positives and negatives regarding LEDs growing, LEDs are – and will likely still remain –
in the greenhouse/growing environment. LEDs emit a smaller portion of the lighting used. There is a

much less heat than sodium bulbs, so there isn’t the greater opportunity for LED lighting in “vertical
worry about burning the plants — in fact, lighting farming” (with racks of plants stacked on top of

can be placed even closer to the leaves.
each other) used mostly for leafy greens that do
That said, while the cost of LEDs has been not grow tall.

steadily decreasing overall, solid-state lighting is “We’re seeing a higher [consumer] demand for

still a pricey proposition for this niche due to the fresher and more organic produce,” Smallwood
sheer amount of lights needed. “Cost has always noted. The solution that some grocery store

been a factor for LED in this market; growers chains are trying is vertical farming, where small
would have to make a high capital investment if facilities are built right next to – or on top of – the

they converted to LED lighting,” Smallwood said, distribution centers. It typically takes six days for

noting that the Western European market relies le uce picked on a farm to reach the supermar-
on greenhouses much more than North America ket, but with these compact vertical farms right

does, due to the climate. The majority of the next to the distribution centers, that shipping
plants grown in these greenhouses are fruit and time can be greatly reduced. The result: fresher

vegetables, and most likely they are illuminated produce. Smallwood cautioned that “this is a tiny

by high-pressure sodium lamps. “As LEDs become market, compared to greenhouses” – less than ap-
less expensive and the understanding of how proximately 5 million square feet – however that

LEDs can a ect growth becomes [more widely number is estimated to rise to 50 million by 2021.
known], the use of LEDs will probably increase,” “The good thing for LEDs [going forward] is that

he added. [There are also growers who apply a they will make up more of the lighting [for vertical

hybrid system of high-pressure sodium and LED, farming] than traditional uorescents,” Smallwood
or high-pressure sodium and uorescent.]
stated. “Vertical farms should have a huge impact

For the most part, when it comes to greenhouse
on LEDs for growers and manufacturers alike.”

Illumination for

human beings is all

about lumen output;

however, with plants,

it’s all about the rate

of photosynthesis

— and just as with

LEDs, there isn’t

standardization yet.

82 enLIGHTenment Magazine | april 2017
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