What are LEDs?
LEDs are a form of light source that employs solid-state semiconductor chips to generate light when an electric current passes through them. They can produce more photons (light) while using less energy than older HID technologies like high-pressure sodium (HPS) or ceramic metal-halide (CMH) lamps. Originally, LEDs could not produce the intensity of light in the wavelengths required for indoor grow operations. Advancements in the color and intensity of LED light have permitted the construction of powerful full-spectrum LED grow lighting that can rival or exceed the yields of traditional lights in recent years. As a result, LED technology for indoor grow lights has seen significant development as farmers appreciate its distinct advantages over previous lighting methods.
Advantages of LED Grow Lights
Use Less Energy
When compared to HPS or CMH, LEDs utilize significantly less energy to generate the same quantity of light. This can be determined by effectiveness, which compares the amount of light generated by a grow light (mol/s) to the amount of energy consumed (Joules/s). A double-ended HPS fixture, can produce 1950 mol/s while utilizing 1000W of power, resulting in a 1.95 mol/J effectiveness. The Genergi Grow Light can create 2016 mol/s while only consuming 720W, giving it a 2.8 mol/J efficacy. The Genergi Foldable Grow Light is roughly 30% more efficient than a 1000W HPS fixture in this regard. This can mean being able to have additional lights at your facility without surpassing your building's energy constraints or compromising light intensity for growers who have restricted access to electricity.
Produce less heat
Grow lights that use LEDs produce far less heat than traditional light sources due to their energy efficiency. When HPS and CMH fixtures are turned on, they generate a lot of heat, which, aside from making them less efficient, causes a lot of problems and constraints for indoor growers. These devices consume a lot of energy to lower the temperature of your growing environment, which raises your operational costs. Because LED grow lights emit less heat, your HVAC system will not have to work as hard to keep your grow room at the right temperature, saving you money.
Can Place Closer to Canopy
A further advantage of LED grow lights that produce less heat is that they can be placed closer to your plants' canopy. Because of the huge amount of heat they create, HPS/CMH grow lights can burn plants if put too close to the canopy. This means you'll have to give them greater room between them and your canopy. LED grow lights can be set as low as a foot above the canopy, providing a variety of advantages. It allows you to grow vertically on racks, for starters. Multi-level grow operations allow cultivators to grow more plants in less space than they would otherwise. Furthermore, bringing your grow lights closer to the canopy improves the amount of light reaching your plants. Light is absorbed by airborne particles.
Full-Spectrum Light Output
One of the most rapidly evolving areas has been the wavelength or spectrum of light produced by LED grow lights. The sun emits a wide spectrum of wavelengths (colors) of light to plants in nature. The light's spectrum refers to the combination of wavelengths produced by a light source. We can now make full spectrum grow lights that are exactly calibrated for each stage of plant growth thanks to advancements in LED technology. Unlike HID lights, which emit a single fixed spectrum, LEDs come in a number of colors that may be combined and matched to create a spectrum of light that is optimal for plant growth. As light is provided to the plant in a form that is easier for them to use in photosynthesis, this results in increased yields.
Longer Life Span
Another significant benefit of LED chip technology is its long lifespan. Before their light intensity is severely diminished, our grow lights can last 50,000 hours. This means that LED grow lights can last for close to ten years in normal use (12 hours on, 12 hours off) before needing to be changed. In comparison, HPS grow light lamps are often replaced after only 12 months of normal use and can cost more than $100. When the cost of replacement lamps is added in, HPS grow lights can become more expensive than LED lights in just a few years, despite their lower initial cost. LEDs are the more cost-effective lighting solution when you consider the additional savings LEDs bring by being more energy-efficient, less demanding on cooling systems, and eligible for rebates.
