In an article posted on Urban AG News, the increasing importance and value of third-party verification for horticultural lighting is explained. According to a report by the US Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the annual electricity consumption of US horticultural lighting installations is projected to increase 15 to 25 percent annually. The increase in electricity consumption comes as the US is trying to reduce carbon emissions and meet energy reduction goals. Several US states have already adopted greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets to combat climate change. In Massachusetts, for example, a law has been passed which requires the state to reduce GHG emissions by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Because of these laws, many indoor farmers are transitioning from old-school lighting to the more modern LED lighting. LEDs are much more efficient than the old-school counterparts and are more effective for growing a variety of crops. Furthermore, due to benchmarks set in the horticulture lighting industry, farmers are guaranteed high quality lighting which will last many years and therefore be worth the investment.
Most lighting fixtures on the market go through rigorous inspections by certified labs. These inspections address wiring, environmental conditions, ingress protection, and worker safety related to prolonged photobiological exposure to the eyes and skin. In the Netherlands, the LB-norm gives an indication of the performance of the lighting fixture over a set period. The LB-norm tests how long an LED fixture will last and checks the claims made by manufacturers about the efficacy of the fixture. The lighting fixtures also undergo testing on specifications such as photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), input power (watts), and photosynthetic flux efficacy (PPE).
The tests mentioned above result in a lot of information. However, this information is not of much use to the uninformed reader. It takes a lot of knowledge and skill to choose the best lighting solution for your crop. After all, every crop is different and has its own specific needs for optimal growth. Another aspect that is important to consider when transitioning to LED lighting is what exactly your goals are for your crops. This is where Ledgnd comes in! With our knowledge of LED lighting and enthusiastic team we find the best lighting solution for your crop and help you achieve your growing goals. You grow crops, we grow light!
